Project update: A greenspace growing from strength to strength
Comfortable, sustainable and sourced locally, benches funded by the Smartline Greenspace Project.
Local Artist Melaine Chadwick’s initial impression of the development
What was the Greenspace Project?
In 2018, Smartline met with community members in Camborne, West Cornwall, to discuss how to improve a piece of grassed land which was maintained by Coastline Housing but not regularly used by residents, and in turn make their community a more enjoyable place to live.
How was the project started?
Working with the local community Smartline set up a volunteer group and formal committee providing digital training to enable committee members to source funds through online bid funding applications. The funding applications were successful, and the Greenspace Project began to take shape. Almost five years after the start of the project, we returned to Coronation Avenue to see how the community and garden had developed.
“The purpose of the new greenspace is to encourage community interaction by creating a place to meet. This will hopefully help to combat loneliness, share skills, and improve mental and physical health.”
Who was involved?
The Greenspace committee was initially developed, together with Coastline Project Coordinators, Volunteer Cornwall and a local artist. With hands-on support from the team at Coastline Housing, accessible raised beds and a redesign of the planting scheme was established, including seating areas equipped with benches constructed from sustainable and locally sourced materials.
According to local resident and Garden Committee Secretary Elaine King, the space is now frequently used as a social space and valued garden.
Above. Elaine, a community member & Greenspace Garden Committee Secretary
Potato plants thriving in raised beds funded by the Smartline Greenspace Project members
How has the garden developed?
Today, supported ownership of the greenspace is controlled by the residents, and their continued contribution is evident in the communal use of space, resources and events, such as a recent commemorative barbeque and Rose, planted in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Coastline housing still cuts the grassed areas regularly and through community engagement, the space has become more than just a garden, it represents a collaborative working model, customer-centred housing and a central, social and regenerative greenspace.
“Phil and Adrian have been extremely helpful in supporting us to create a garden made by the community for the community. We’ve planted potatoes in the raised beds and enough bulbs to create a sea of daffodils next spring. ”
Above left: Setting up a community-organised BBQ. Above right: A commemorative Rose planted in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The team
From Smartline: Phil Gilbert and Adrian Ankers from Coastline Housing, Karen Spooner from Volunteer Cornwall and Dr Tim Walker from the University of Exeter.
We’d also like to thank the project’s committee for their hard work, Coastline Community Grant, the National Lottery (Your Local Connections Fund), Camborne Science and International Academy, Bamford Doors, Camborne Town Council, and everyone in the community for being involved.