Love Outdoors CIC has been awarded £2,000 funding from Abri to support the creation of a communal garden at Somerset Court, Gosport.
Love Outdoors CIC work to connect communities outdoors with the aim of improving both physical and mental wellbeing. The project run by Love Outdoors CIC will provide the residents of Somerset Court with a new communal garden. The space will be used for activities such as planting and harvesting food as well as socialising and connecting as a community. The funding from Abri will support the costs associated with creating the communal garden.
Emma Kemp, Director of Love Outdoors CIC, said: “Love Outdoors CIC is delighted to have received a grant to create a community garden at Somerset Court in Gosport. Abri’s Community Fund seemed the ideal fund to apply for the project as it’s aims strongly align with what we want to achieve. We will create a community garden that the residents are actively involved in planning and developing, and one which will help to strengthen connections within the community whilst also providing health and wellbeing benefits.”
The Community Fund is part of Abri’s commitment to empowering lives and creating thriving communities, making them better places to live. Abri is one of the south of England’s largest housing providers and has awarded over £65,000 from its Community Fund to support local organisations and projects since April 2021.
Applications are decided on by its customer panel – Thriving Communities – made up of customers and those living in its communities. Sarah O’Mara, from the panel, said: “It’s great to see Love Outdoors CIC improving the garden for residents to enjoy, providing a safe space for children to play, and allow residents to grow their own food and plants. The sessions they will host will also help residents learn about growing and harvesting are great. This will bring the communal space back to life for residents, many of whom don’t have access to outdoor space.”
Emma and the team are hoping to create a space that meets the long-term needs of the residents at Somerset Court. She added: “Having been introduced to the site by the Community Development Officer at Abri, and having visited and met with residents, we are excited to develop a garden that meets the needs of the residents, both for now and in the future. Love Outdoors CIC is a relatively new social enterprise, so we are grateful to Abri for supporting us to develop a project that meets our main aim of connecting communities through the outdoors to improve health and wellbeing.”
Other successful applications for Abri’s Community Fund include:
- Gul Outdoor Therapy received £3,000 to support them in providing outdoor activities to improve the health and wellbeing of young people.
- Mustard Seed Ministries: Personal Choice received £2,726 to help fund their weekly chair exercises at the Oasis Centre for Adults in Portsmouth
- Chard Reservoir LNR Volunteers’ Group received £1,000 to launch two family countryside event days.
- Littlemoor Community Action Group in Weymouth received £1,000 to provide equipment to enable community events in a community centre.
“We believe the best ideas often come from the people who know and lie in our communities. And we’re committed to supporting and investing in our communities. We’re proud of the difference our Community Fund makes, driving change, transforming our communities and providing opportunities. It’s what our Community Strategy and five-year £15m investment is all about – empowering communities, improving health and wellbeing, and providing employment opportunities,” says Cita Jagot, Communities & Involvement Manager at Abri.
Between April 2022 and March 2023, Abri’s Community Fund will have £90,000 available for communities to apply for. It opens for applications four times a year, and organisations can apply for up to £3,000 to support a project in one of Abri’s communities. The next application window opens on 1 April 2022 and closes on 20 May 2022.
You can find out more about Love Outdoors CIC at www.loveoutdoors.org.uk .
