117 community garden projects across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive funding from the National Garden Scheme to mark Community Gardens Week 7 – 14 April. 

Distributing £294,260 across these projects, this community garden grant funding has been supported by Julia Rausing Trust. George Plumptre, chief executive of the National Garden Scheme says he is proud to provide a helping hand. He adds:

“Many of the applications we received centred on the growing of food for communities and those helping others to learn to grow food.”

The funding will contribute to social welfare and gardening projects fighting loneliness and helping the disabled to support community orchards, food banks and GP surgery projects. 

“Participating in an allotment or community garden can give meaningful social connections which help to reduce loneliness and isolation,” says Danny Clarke, National Garden Scheme ambassador. 

Over £1m has been donated to over 500 community projects since the community grants began. Pakistan Association Liverpool wellbeing garden received a £4,900 community garden grant and will open 22 June. The garden, made primarily from recycled materials and plants, is a space for members to grow vegetables, herbs and flowers. 

Rhubarb Farm in Nottinghamshire also received £1,352. It is a horticultural social enterprise providing training and volunteering opportunities to ex-offenders, drug and alcohol misusers, the disabled and those suffering with mental illness. 

Funding will be distributed in April 2025 followed by project updates, with completion in 2026. The 2026 Community Gardens Award application process will begin in the autumn.