An innovative gardening initiative has launched in Basildon, which aims to strengthen community engagement and promote healthy lifestyles amongst local residents.
The garden was named ‘Casselden Garden’ in memory of local teenager Roman Casselden and his younger sister Darcie, who had been involved in developing the garden but tragically lost their lives in a road accident.
The project, located at Rose Villa Surgery, will serve patients from the Central Basildon Primary Care Network, located in one of the most deprived areas in Basildon. Through the community garden, local health teams hope to increase residents’ social interaction, physical activity, skill development, and wellbeing, while also promoting a sense of community ownership and collaboration.
The project is modelling a green social prescribing initiative. Green social prescribing is the practice of supporting people to engage in nature-based interventions and activities to improve their mental and physical health. Green social prescribers from the Primary Care Network refer patients who may benefit from being involved with the garden.
It was fantastic to see so many people turn out for the launch event, and we are grateful to everyone who has helped develop the garden. We hope the community will come along and enjoy working together in the community garden to grow wildlife areas or fresh produce that patients can take home with them or share with the wider community. The hope is it will naturally encourage befriending and volunteering and eventually for the patients to take the lead on the project.
Joanne Copeland Practice Manager, Rose Villa Surgery
The project has been funded by the Basildon and Brentwood Alliance physical activity and health fund, and brought to life by local community organisation Achieve Thrive Flourish who worked with volunteers, gardeners and landscapers to transform the previously unused outdoor area into a thriving garden.
It was brilliant to see so people join us for the launch, both from the local community and local partners including NHS colleagues, Essex Pedal Power, Find Your Active Basildon, Active Essex, and members of the GP surgery, many of whom shared how amazed they were by the transformation of the space.
There’s already a lot of interest from people wanting to volunteer and help maintain this beautiful space and we welcome ideas on how we can continue to grow and develop the garden together.
Jay Robinson, Achieve Thrive Flourish
We’re delighted to see this initiative bringing the community together, creating a lasting legacy, and making such meaningful use of the physical activity and health fund. It’s well known that staying active benefits both our physical and mental wellbeing. Rose Villa Surgery, Achieve Thrive Flourish and their local partners and volunteers have turned their vision into reality – creating a welcoming space at the heart of the community and providing opportunities for people to connect, be active, and enjoy a shared environment. We’re excited to watch this project grow and take root in other areas such as West Basildon Primary Care Network who are looking to create something similar.
Simon Williams, Deputy Alliance Director for Basildon and Brentwood
