Friends of Portswood Rec receives boost from our Community Fund

4 months ago Tue 8th Oct 2024

Group of people in a rec ground garden with tools and bus cut out

A voluntary organisation that helps maintain a local recreation ground in Portswood has received a financial boost from our Community Fund this week.

Gardeners from Friends of Portswood Rec meet each week to look after the site and improve the habitat for wildlife and pollinators. They also pick litter every weekend.

"Our group is open to all, and everyone is welcome - but participants are currently restricted by the number of garden tools and litter pickers we have," said Gardening Co-ordinator Denise Long from Friends of Portswood Rec.

"We turned to Bluestar's Community Fund to help us buy some new equipment, and we were delighted to receive £500. This will make a big difference because it will allow more people to join in, helping us spread the 'gardening for nature' message."

Friends of Portswood Rec works with other groups, like the scouts, students from the nearby University of Southampton and others to share garden experience and knowledge whilst planting, weeding and maintaining meadow areas and flower beds. All sessions end with a cup of tea and slice of cake - making them important social occasions.

“Many of those taking part live alone, or have ‘downsized’ so they don’t have their own gardens,” added Garth Long, Co-Chair of the Friends group. “Our group not only benefits the recreation ground and wider community, it also provides local people who have an interest in gardening and/or wildlife, the opportunity to increase friendships and reduce isolation - in addition to the physical and mental health bonuses of working outdoors.

“We’d like to thank Bluestar for helping us make a difference to the area, whilst encouraging more people to adopt a healthy lifestyle.”

Richard Tyldsley, Bluestar general manager, said: “The volunteers at Friends of Portswood Rec do wonderful work for local park users and the local community by attracting those who want to enjoy the open space for relaxation and exercise. This is exactly the type of organisation the Bluestar Community Fund is meant to help, and I’m delighted we have been able to contribute to some much-needed equipment.”

If you are interested in joining this group, getting out in the open and making a difference in your local community, follow this link for more information.

Our Community Fund is open twice a year for applicants in January and July, click here to find out more...