In an event funded by Near Neighborus Programme, Edible High Town invited neighbours from diverse religious, cultural & ethnic backgrounds to come together for a cuppa at a Community Garden in the High Town area of Luton, which is one of the 8 green spaces on public land tended by Edible High Town.
In this Community Garden and in other green little patches in the High Town area, people of all ages and abilities come together to grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers for all to share. They meet on Friday mornings and people can garden in their own time once they’re set up.
Project Lead Konni Deppe said, “We want to improve people’s physical and mental well-being, reduce loneliness and isolation, and foster a sense of belonging. Our project addresses food poverty and sustainability, by making locally grown fruit and vegetables more accessible and giving people the opportunity to grow and harvest their own food near where they live.”
She added High Town is one of Luton’s most deprived wards and in the 20% most deprived areas in the country (2019 Index of Multiple Deprivation). A high proportion of High Town’s 9k residents come from a BAME and non-British white background (2011 census) and are likely to experience racial inequity. Official figures show 23.8 per cent of High Town residents live in overcrowded accommodation, the fourth highest of Luton's 19 wards. This compares to 6.5 per cent in the East of England. The Health Foundation has found psychological distress is higher in overcrowded homes and this increased during the lockdown. High Town ward has the second highest proportion of people living in flats in Luton, according to the local authority. This means they have limited access to gardening space. Many people also lack the skills or confidence to get growing. During the Covid-19 pandemic, people have had fewer opportunities to socialise, increasing the risk of isolation and loneliness. A lack of physical exercise affects the health of children and adults alike. Neglected and under-used areas in High Town attract litter, fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and low-level crime. Our objectives, therefore, align with Luton Council’s 2016 High Town Masterplan, which says: “It is important that opportunities are realised to enhance provision, access and the quality of High Town’s open spaces as well as local biodiversity.”
She and others involved in the project expressed their joy and delight in receiving support from Near Neighbours Small Grants Fund to hold monthly weekend gardening sessions events for local residents, equipping them with gardening tips and sharing their experiences of benefitting from community gardening. These events will take place at 4 different garden locations. Over 40 new people have attended these neighbourly get together events so far.
