8 August 2022

Gardening project brings much more to the table for residents in Exeter

We are working with residents at Bridge and Bell Court in Exeter to enhance their communal vegetable patch so residents can grow their own healthy fruit and vegetables.
Lesley and resident

The space is also be used as a meeting point where residents can hold events, connect with nature and sit and chat with a friend. 

So far 3 kg of strawberries have been picked and shared out with local residents and courgettes and lettuces are helping to make meals for the residents.

Lesley Browne, Community Connector at LiveWest said: “Our customers’ wellbeing is important to us. 

Bridge Court garden
One of our residents is growing beetroot from seed for the very first time and has gone through the stages of sowing, pricking out and planting out - she is now regularly watering them to grow on to tasty beets. Putting aside the obvious benefit of growing food, it's the added extras of company, conversation, sharing a joke and working out problems together that bring so much more the table.”

Michael Parker resident at Bridge and Bell Court said: “The area is taking shape with splendid planters of fresh vegetables which we have been using to create dinners, a lovely habitats for insects, climbing plants and beautiful flowers to enjoy, I have loved doing this project.”

Lesley added: “Providing access to green spaces, communal garden areas and shared green spaces is a really big part of our community work. Our Back Yard Nature Project focuses on the fact that no matter how big or small your green area is you can create and nurture something good. The community garden is important to residents, allowing them to socialise outside and enjoy the fresh air.”

Planters at Bridge Court

LiveWest are the biggest social housing provider in the South West. LiveWest plans to build around 6,500 new homes over the next five years and will invest £2billion into the region over the next 10 years.

The protection and improvement of green spaces across its geography is part of its drive to build thriving communities. 

Managing over 39, 000 homes across the region LiveWest is one of the first housing associations in the country to have launched an environmental blueprint with measurable targets.