Hull Rainbow Garden keeps on growing thanks to a nurturing local community and lottery funding.
The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded three years of funding to a small well-loved charity, nested within a corner of North Hull just off Endike Lane. For over 25 years. Hull Rainbow Garden Hull has provided a tranquil space that has welcomed everyone to enjoy nature and make new friends with the help of local volunteers and two part time staff members.
Even throughout the pandemic the Charity was always there for residents, sharing gardening ideas via Social Media, providing free activity packs for families and supporting people with their wellbeing and preparing social distant activities within the garden.
Located at the end of Levisham Close, the National Lottery Community Fund recognised how creative use of space and how the community worked together to make a difference for others that nurtured a strong community spirit. The charity aims to continue to listen to their community, using the funding to bring more people together by offering craft sessions, after school clubs, gardening tasters as well as facilitating friendship groups.
With the cost of living increasing and families in need of support as well as affordable positive activities for their children, Hull Rainbow Garden has started making plans over the next three years to share healthy eating ideas, and creative activities that inspires positive use of nature that brings enjoyment to others.
More volunteers are needed to make this happen, and the charity is currently recruiting a new Operations Manager to help plan more activities in response to emerging needs of the local community.
As well as the Lottery funding, the Hull Rainbow Garden secured a 9th consecutive Green Flag, an award that recognises excellent management of green spaces. Only two other Green Flags have been awarded in Hull, East Park and Pearson Park, both managed by Hull Culture and Leisure.
The National Lottery Community Fund awarded the Rainbow Garden, growing community £180,866 over 3 years.
“The National Lottery Community Funding is fantastic news to all those who have worked tirelessly,(both staff and volunteers) over the last 25 years to make the Rainbow Garden, the special place it now is. This funding will enable us to expand and further develop our community benefits with new services, events and activities. Enabling the Rainbow Garden to appoint an Operations Manager to deliver these exciting opportunities over the next three years” Ken Upshall, Trustee and Chair
“This funding will secure the future of the Rainbow Garden and I can’t wait to share this, with our gardening community, at our Jubilee Celebration Event on the 3rd June. I’m sure everyone will be well pleased, that what we do, at the Rainbow Garden is valued and appreciated. We will hope to spread the word much wider that gardening is really good for your health and well-being and you get to eat and enjoy what you grow. Come and join us” Brenda Elm, Senior Gardener
Covid was a challenging time for the local community and the charity kept in touch with as many people as possible via Facebook, newsletters and personal visits with supplies of fresh fruit and veg. Shared stories and art work to record these experiences has helped create a new reflections garden and community arts trail for everyone to enjoy.
Hull Rainbow Garden would welcome an informal chat about volunteering and if anyone would like to apply for the part time position, to email hullrainbowgarden@outlook.com
Available for Interview:
- Brenda Elm mob 07862 025831
Photo Opportunity:
- Friday 3rd June at 1PM , Jubilee Celebration Party, Levisham Close, Hull, HU6 8AB
Contact details:
- info@rainbowgardenhull.org.uk
- 07862 025831
- Levisham Close Hull HU6 8AB
- www.rainbowgardenhull.wordpress.com
Rainbow Garden Hull - Growing Community 