Stanmer Park refugee gardening project can continue thanks to new funding

Common Ground, which is based at Stanmer Organics, Stanmer Park, supports refugees and migrants to connect with local residents.

The organic growing project aims to improve health and wellbeing by helping these communities to connect with nature and learn how to grow and cook food.

A UK lager brand, Carling, in partnership with JD Wetherspoon, has donated more than £2,000 for Common Ground to install a poly tunnel - so that gardening can continue all year round.

The donation is part of the Carling Made Local Fund which supports community projects across the UK.

Project director, Roxana Khan-Williams, said: “Outdoor spaces are invaluable for a sense of community and belonging.

“Our hope is for Common Ground to offer a space where people can reconnect with the earth, each other, and the food we grow.

“It will also be a first opportunity for many of our migrant gardeners to converse and mingle socially with local residents.”

By selling produce to residents and serving it in a cafe, the project is designed to be self-sustaining.

The funding boost will help the project to extend to other marginalised and isolated groups such as the long-term unemployed and the homeless.

Originally established to improve the employability of people working on the project, Common Ground has evolved to allow refugees to connect with nature and share stories; in particular, recipes and foods from their homes are shared with local residents and other members.

New volunteers are welcome at the project and can find more information at the Common Ground Facebook page or by emailing [email protected]