17 community gardens created across North Wales thanks to Local Places for Nature grants

Environmental charity, Keep Wales Tidy, has awarded seventeen free garden packages to communities across North Wales.

This year, seventeen gardens have been created, restored and enhanced across North Wales thanks to funding from the Welsh Government. Community groups and organisations of all shapes and sizes – from a college and schools to community groups and a prison – have received free Local Places for Nature garden packs.

The scheme offers complete garden packages to develop unused areas that include everything from native plants, tools and raised beds to on-hand support to install the gardens from Keep Wales Tidy staff.

Not only do the gardens benefit local wildlife and nature, but they also make a difference to the physical and mental well-being of those involved now, and in the future.

The project is funded by the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature programme which is run by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s Hafod Hedd Dementia Services is one of the seventeen organisations and community groups awarded with a free garden package from the Local Places for Nature scheme.

Based near Pwllheli in Gwynedd, Ysbyty Bryn Beryl patients living with dementia will soon enjoy all the benefits of nature on their doorstep.

Mari Ireland Community Psychiatric Nurse said ”Everyone here is excited to see the developments on site and enjoying seeing the extra wildlife here, we have already noticed a larger variety of birds visiting the sites and birdboxes.

We have many visitors with Dementia and their carers using the lounge area that has a clear view of the Local Places for Nature wildlife garden package and they are eagerly looking to participate in this year’s RSPB big garden bird watch.”

In Flintshire, an unused patch of land has been transformed into a food growing garden at Coleg Cambria. Classroom assistant Brian Valentine and a group of Jobs Growth Wales+ learners, staff and members of the Construction Trainee Academy began work on the 40 sq metre site 12 months ago as part of Keep Wales Tidy’s Local Places for Nature project.

Brian Valentine from Coleg Cambria said “This Local Places for Nature grant has made such a difference to the college community who have been involved with the project. They have learnt new skills in planning and developing the site and are really looking forward to growing their own fruit and veg. The grant also allowed staff and learners to understand the benefits of growing your own fruit and vegetables especially in the current cost of living crisis we are in at the moment, making the project even more relevant. “

Deputy Chief Executive for Keep Wales Tidy, Louise Tambini, said:

“We’re delighted to say a big thank you to the Welsh Government and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for enabling us to create seventeen new Local Places for Nature gardens across North Wales.

Creating new gardens is great for people, pollinators and the climate.

Growing your own food and creating wildlife havens on your doorstep are all simple nature-based solutions to tackling climate change. Since 2020, through our Local Places for Nature scheme, we have created hundreds of new habitats and spaces for nature, which is vital in the current climate emergency and decline in biodiversity.”

Visit Keep Wales Tidy’s website to find out more and view a list of the awarded sites across Wales www.keepwalestidy.cymru/nature