St Mungo’s and Team London Bridge celebrate London in Bloom win
20 September 2011
St Mungo's Putting Down Roots and Team London Bridge are celebrating after winning a London in Bloom award.
They won the Capital Growth category for their work transforming the gardens at Melior Street in Bermondsey.
The partnership has worked effectively over the last two years to landscape the area, creating a tranquil community garden with a thriving allotment. Capital Growth is a scheme backed by the Mayor's Office to encourage the creation of 2012 new community food growing spaces by 2012.
As part of St Mungo's Skills and Employment services, the Putting Down Roots gardening project supports people with experiences of homelessness to become engaged in an activity and consider moving onto further training and developing their skills for getting into work. PDR volunteers tend community gardens across London and work with Team London Bridge on a number of community gardening projects in South London.
Shane Clarke, Deputy CEO of Team London Bridge said "We are delighted to win this prestigious award in recognition for a great partnership between Team London Bridge and St Mungo's Putting Down Roots. The transformation of the gardens at Melior Street has been astounding and we look forward to expanding the partnership further."
Ian Kavanagh, St Mungo's gardening trainer, who has worked on the project since 2009 said: "This really is a team project. Our clients give hours of their time back to their neighbourhood, making the gardens at Melior Street a lovely space for the local community to really enjoy. At the same time it can help raise people's self-esteem, improve health and develop great 'back to work' skills. It shows how much can be done at a local partnership level."
The awards were presented at an event at City Hall on Friday 16 September. The London in Bloom awards are organised by the Royal Horticultural Society to recognise efforts to improve the local environment.
This year, Putting Down Roots was also nominated for an Observer Ethical Award.
Notes
- For further information or images/interviews, please call Gemma Hollingshead on 020 8762 5570 or email gemma.hollingshead@mungos.org
- St Mungo's provides emergency help and runs over 100 projects that house homeless people and support their recovery, and prevent rough sleeping. Every year we help thousands of people to make permanent life changes. St Mungo's works with homeless men and women on housing, health and work opportunities. www.mungos.org
- For more information about Team London Bridge visit www.teamlondonbridge.co.uk
- For more information on London in Bloom visit www.londoninbloom.co.uk
- For more information about Capital Growth visit www.capitalgrowth.org
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