Portsmouth community group renovating garden to feed those in need
A community group in Copnor is transforming a neglected space into a productive garden, to grow vegetables and fruit for foodbanks in Portsmouth.
The Living Kitchen, a community group in association with Harbour Church, is renovating a garden to feed those in need, invite schools in for education and bring together the community.
Lee Dean, 39, project coordinator, said: “We want to use the space to bridge the gap between young and old.
“The older generation generally have the skills to grow vegetables, whilst the younger generation are losing those skills.
“We can fix that. It also gives people a space to be together.”
The space, donated by Harbour Church, will be located behind St. Alban’s Church and will grow a variation of vegetables including carrots, parsnips, tomatoes, and onions.
Lee said: “We know the area, what we want to do with it and how we are going to do it, but with any project, there might be surprises we weren’t ready for.”
On the 26th of February, the non-profit organisation held a successful craft market at St. George’s Church in Portsea, working with a selection of local businesses.
Gianne Amparo, owner of Gianne Illustrates, attended the event as a stall holder. She believes the event “had a strong sense of community” and that the fundraising project will help the community “to be greener and more environmentally conscious”.
The Living Kitchen hope to raise £5,000 to start vegetable production by next year, in order to start providing food for Portsmouth foodbanks.
The community group are currently in the process of organising future fundraising projects, including a beer festival and urge locals to look out for updates.
