WHITLEY residents can look forward to socialising, taking part in healthy outdoor activity and learning valuable gardening and food growing skills with the launch of a new community garden at Whitley Wood Community Centre.
What was once a disused soil heap tucked away behind the community centre has been transformed into a levelled growing area surrounded by new fencing and an accessible pathway, thanks to a joint project by Reading Borough Council and construction company Morgan Sindall.
The Council has also teamed up with local charity Freely Fruity to oversee gardening sessions at the centre to help south Reading residents learn to grow their own food and make the most of the wellbeing opportunities the garden provides.
An additional benefit beyond the wellbeing and skill-learning of those tending the garden is the opportunity to supply fresh produce to the on-site food pantry. The Whitley Wood Pantry – open from 1pm – 3pm on Tuesdays at the Community Centre – provides groceries and supplies at a discounted rate to those most in need, and is looking forward to including fresh, local produce grown on site on its shelves.
Morgan Sindall’s valuable work on the project includes new bin stores at the community centre and a storage facility for gardening equipment.
The project is part of the construction company’s commitment to delivering social value in the area whilst building the Council’s new Hexham Road development.
This will provide 42 high-quality, energy‑efficient homes – including 36 sheltered housing units for over 55s – alongside a dedicated day opportunities centre for adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities.
Matt Yeo, Lead Councillor for Housing, said: “The Council’s new build programme which has already delivered 421 affordable new homes with a further 362 on the way.
“A fantastic additional benefit on top of providing high quality housing at low social rents for those on our housing register, is in the social value projects we work on with developers.
“The community garden at Whitley Wood Community Centre is a direct result of the Council approaching Morgan Sindall to focus its social value work on the needs of the local community and partner with us on the project whilst they build our Hexham Road development.
“It will not only give those in the local community who are keen the chance to learn new skills and have valuable social interaction with others, but the food grown here can be shared with the Whitley Wood Pantry Pantry, meaning even more people will benefit from this project.”
A video of interviews with those taking part in the garden project, and the work that has taken place so far, is available on YouTube
