AN underused open space in South Ockendon has been transformed into a community garden and food growing space benefiting isolated residents and families.

On Saturday (8 October), local residents from Clayburn Gardens and the Flowers Estate came together to celebrate the official launch of Clayburn Community Garden.

Thurrock Council worked with its repairs contractor Mears, who funded and installed the garden as one of its social value projects, to provide the holistic community space. 

Cabinet member for housing Cllr Luke Spillman, said: "This initiative is a fantastic example of boosting health and wellbeing in the local community, alongside tackling social isolation and loneliness which many of us have felt throughout the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

"Clayburn Community Garden is our fourth and biggest garden – Peartree Close and Avon Green also have community gardens and Lime Close Hall has planted troughs.

"We engaged with the local community at Clayburn Gardens throughout the entire process to foster a sense of ownership and care for the space. Raised beds and seating have been installed following residents' feedback asking for space for a mixture of flowers, herbs, vegetables, salad crops and sensory plants. Some plants have already been planted and have been labelled in English and Polish for everyone to enjoy.

"Thank you to the many council services who have worked on this project and to Mears for funding and installing this garden."

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A member of the Clayburn Community Garden Gardening Group said: "As a sufferer of mental health and anxiety issues, I find gardening therapeutic and relaxing, it gives my mind something to focus on and it also gives me the opportunity to interact with others as talking helps with my issues. I'm looking forward to growing our own produce and being able to tend to the flowers, and wellbeing of the herbs."

Catherine Anderson and Gary Luscombe from Mears Limited said: "Mears have been really pleased to work with Thurrock residents on the community garden. The local Mears branch successfully bid for £2,000 from the independent Mears Foundation which will go towards the cost of plants, benches and tools.

"We have really enjoyed working with our local suppliers and subcontractors to create the community garden and the community interaction was even better than expected, which has made the project even more enjoyable.

"We are confident this will be another local space where people will come together and enjoy a space with their neighbours." 

The council's Resident Engagement Team has set up a #GrowingThurrockCommunities network on the Thurrock Resident Engagement Facebook group to encourage like-minded council tenants and leaseholders to grow their own food or get involved in a community space. The team can also be contacted by emailing: [email protected]