Habinteg’s £2.5k donation makes Bradford community garden accessible to all | Latest news

Wheelchair users in Bradford’s Westwood Park will soon be able to visit and volunteer at a local community garden thanks to a £2,500 grant from Habinteg Housing Association.

The money will enable the project’s organisers, Friends of Westwood Park, to pay for wheelchair and pushchair-friendly level pathways. A new gate will also link the garden to Eden Gardens, a supported housing scheme run by Habinteg where many residents have mobility impairments.

The garden has been created on a plot of vacant land owned by the NHS. It’s designed to be a wildlife-friendly space where the whole community can learn about horticulture and how to grow their own food.

The community garden is set to open in the first week of April and is free for anyone to use. Around 50 raised planting beds, a greenhouse, and a large community log cabin are already in place.

Community matters

“We’re very pleased to have been able to contribute funds to the garden scheme as it’s a great community project that promotes health and wellbeing and is a space for the community to come together,” said Habinteg’s Director of Social Impact and External Affairs, Christina McGill.

“Habinteg’s grant ensures that more local people, including Habinteg tenants, have the opportunity to get out of their home to enjoy nature and get involved in their community.”

Accessible asset

Bradford’s Queensbury ward Councillor, and co-organiser of the garden scheme, Luke Majkowski, said: “Without Habinteg’s donation the garden wouldn’t have been accessible for wheelchair users. It’s great to say we’re an accessible garden.”

Habinteg tenant and Friends of Westwood Park volunteer, David Michael Firth, added: “Habinteg’s funding makes it much easier for Eden Gardens residents to access the garden by wheelchair and has sped up the second phase of the project, which includes a wildlife-friendly area.

“The garden will positively contribute to the mental health and wellbeing of all. Thank you to Habinteg for helping us achieve this and to the NHS for allowing us to cultivate the space.”

More funding needed

Over £20,000 has been raised for the Westwood Park garden project, which includes funding from Bradford Council, a local branch of Tesco, and other grants.

Westwood Park garden still needs funding for more gardening equipment and to help the community project thrive. Future plans include fruit trees, a picnic area and benches.

If you’re a business, organisation or local who’d like to donate or volunteer at the Westwood Park community garden, please email Friends of Westwood Park at info@fowp.co.uk.

 

Top picture: Westwood Park garden; middle picture: rows of wooden planters; bottom picture: volunteers assembling greenhouses at Westwood Park garden.