THE SITE of a temporary church in Stoke Aldermoor in Coventry is now being transformed into a community garden.
The old prefabricated building on the acre of land was used for St Catherine’s Church until 2019 when the new church building was completed.
The building also housed a number of community groups and social enterprise groups including Proof Bakery until December 2021.
The portable cabin which had been leaking for a number of years was finally deemed unsafe in December 2021.
An extensive consultation was then carried out by church leaders with residents and church members to find an alternative use for the space to meet the community’s needs.
Those quizzed said a high quality green space for adults and a play space for children were the top priorities.
A community landscape architect was engaged to translate residents’ and church members’ ideas into a viable plan which it was estimated would costs around £114,000.
Since then, the church has been fundraising for the project, including children’s play space, a garden room with accessible toilet and small kitchen, a barbecue area, raised beds for vegetable and plant growing, seating, a nature zone and a foodbank store.
The project is now well under way, with the final component, the Garden Room, due to be installed by the end of November.
Several funders have generously contributed to the project, including the FCC Community Fund, Severn Trent Water, Benefact Trust, West Midlands Combined Authority (Green Grants), Garfield Weston Foundation and The National Lottery Community Fund.
Project leader, Helen Tebbatt, said: “It is extremely exciting to see that site being transformed into a safe outside space that all can use.
“Fundraising has been hard work and we’re very grateful to all the funders.”
The garden will be accessible to anyone to drop in during daylight hours, including food bank users, and available to groups who book space in the church building.
Richard Smith, FCC Communities Foundation, senior grant manager, added they were pleased to be supporting the project and were looking forward to seeing the difference it would make.
He added the FCC was always happy to consider grant applications for projects to improve lcal communities. FCC Communities Foundation is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that improve local communities and we’re looking forward to this one making a difference very soon.”
Sue Heyes, Severn Trent community fund fficer, said: “We are so proud to help St Catherine’s get this wonderful work done.
“It has been a total transformation and one that will benefit the whole community for generations to come.”
Paul Playford, the Benefact Trust’s senior grants and operations officer, said being involved was a privilege and St Catherine’s Community Garden would be a valuable space for local people of all ages.
“The garden will be an oasis away from the stresses of daily life, where the community can gather and connect.”
And Nicola Thurbon, The National Lottery Community Fund senior head of funding for the Midlands, at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “The Community Garden will provide a sanctuary for children, adults and families to come together, feel safe and improve the lives of people living in a deprived area of Coventry.”
She thanked National Lottery players for helping make the project become a reality.
