Firms step in to help with community gardens project

Businesses, including Wavensmere Homes, have helped pave the way for the next phase of development of new community gardens being created by YMCA Derbyshire.

Wavensmere, which is behind the Nightingale Quarter residential development on the site of the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, were among those who provided staff and equipment for the Wilmorton Community Gardens project.

They were joined by specialist contractor Cawarden and Lambe Construction to demolish and clear overgrown and unsafe areas of the gardens, which are now managed by YMCA Derbyshire.

It means the charity can now progress with plans to create an outdoor classroom for YMCA Key College learners, run forest school activities for local primary schools and create a green space for 25 allotment plot holders.

Julian Smith, chair of YMCA Derbyshire, said: “We are extremely grateful for all the generous support, and belief in all we are doing at YMCA Derbyshire to enable young people and communities to belong, contribute and thrive.

“It’s an exciting time for the community gardens, and the support given by the teams at Carwarden, Wavensmere Homes and Lambe Construction, will allow us to progress with our plans.

“Without this generous support, the completion of the project may not have been possible. The costs were prohibitive and doing this manually would have taken our team years to complete.”

James Dickens, managing director at Wavensmere Homes, said: “The YMCA makes a massive contribution to Derby’s young people.

“This was a small gesture in the grand scheme of their efforts, with the help of one of our key suppliers Lambe, which did the heavy lifting.

“Wavensmere fully support this transformative organisation and will continue to do so in the future.”

It promises to be a big year for the Wilmorton Community Gardens, with a new eco-friendly Green Hub Youth Centre being unveiled in the autumn.

Funded by the Youth Investment Fund, the building will be used to run training and education courses for young people focussing on construction and horticulture.

It will also be a hub for youth activity and used in the evening and weekends to provide positive opportunities for young people living in Alvaston, Allenton and Wilmorton.