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Urban Grow
From neglected space to Thriving Community Garden
Wheatland Road Gardens is transforming an abandoned outdoor space in Mowmacre into a hub of growth, creativity, and community spirit.
With 42 young people already engaged, and 20 free workshops planned and delivered from April to October, this project empowers residents with the skills to grow, cook, and share food together — while also providing space for arts, music that nurture wellbeing and belonging.
The project was kickstarted by Leicester City Council, with pilot workshops for children supported by the Police and Crime Commissioner. You can see the early stages of the project here. Further work with children and young people in 2025 is supported by the National Lottery, more on what's achieved below:
We are back in spring with the first community-together workshop
on Sat 7 March 2026, 11am–1pm!
Pop by and take part.
Our
Story
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2024
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September 2025
2024
September 2025
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Improvements we did:
We build roof area!
We build pizza oven!
Impact in numbers:
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42 young people engaged so far
20+ free workshops
April-October
47+ community members consulted
1 community pizza oven and roofed area crated
Follow our story:
Young people tried some sports activities too:
Thank you adult volunteers for helping us to improve the space!
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PCO's always welcomed!
Workshop and Activities
Our programme is hands-on, creative, and community-driven.
Young people as part of this project took part in:
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Gardening & Food – learning to grow vegetables and herbs, then using them in meals like pizzas baked in the community-built oven.
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Cooking & Nutrition – exploring healthy eating habits and developing practical life skills around food.
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Arts & Creativity – experimenting with cyanotype photography, storytelling workshops, and collaborative art that makes the garden space more welcoming.
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Music & Expression – music-making sessions that encourage teamwork, self-expression, and joy.
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Teamwork & Leadership – taking responsibility for maintaining the garden, tools, and shared community resources.
These strands combine to equip participants with a holistic set of skills: from practical food knowledge to creative confidence, while strengthening community ties across generations.
community voices
"I’ve never grown anything before. Now I’m helping my little brother plant tomatoes for the pizza oven"
Young Participant
“This project gives our children something positive to do. They’re learning responsibility while also helping us all eat better.”
Parent
“I’ve seen less anti-social behaviour around the area on days when children are taking part in activities.”
Local PCO
"Its been inspiring watching children all work together on
a project over the summer, bouncing ideas of each other in a creative supportive setting"
Volunteer
why this matters
This project meets urgent local needs and national funding priorities:
Brings people together
Intergenerational workshops where young and older residents collaborate on gardening, arts, and cooking.
Improves community spaces
Turning Wheatland Road Gardens from a neglected plot into a vibrant hub of activity.
Helps young people reach potential
Equipping them with sustainable living skills, creative outlets, and confidence.
Responds to the cost-of-living crisis
Teaching families to grow and cook healthy food at low cost, while providing free cultural and sporting opportunities.
Sustainability and future
Wheatland Road Gardens is taking a progressive route to improvement. By equipping young people with practical gardening skills, shared access to tools and sheds for adult participants, and genuine creative ownership of the space for all age people, the garden will continue to thrive well beyond the funded workshops.
The mix of food, arts and gardening appeals to a wide range of interests and keeps engagement strong throughout the year.
We build in continuous feedback—through session reflections —so that learning from each strand directly shapes what we do next. Young people are already suggesting new activities, and, importantly, they are mobilising support: recruiting volunteers, spreading the word and helping to make things happen. This developing youth leadership, combined with practical skills and shared community assets, provides a strong foundation for long-term impact.
Thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund for supporting this project!
Get Involved
This project is only possible through community and funder support.
You can help us grow the impact:
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Donate to provide tools, art supplies, and resources
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Volunteer your time and skills, whether in gardening, cooking, or creative workshops
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Follow our journey via our website and social media
Together, we can continue to grow Wheatland Road Gardens into a space that feeds bodies, minds, and the community spirit of Mowmacre.