little dobbies has revealed the community and charity groups across the UK that will receive support to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces this year, including Action for Children in Camden for little dobbies Chiswick, St Vincent’s Centre in Brixton for little dobbies Richmond and Kensington Primary Academy for little dobbies Westbourne Grove.
Over 660 groups applied to Dobbies Community Gardens when it opened in March. Each little dobbies store selected their local project to support from the nominations that were made.
The winners will now receive a one-on-one session with little dobbies’ colleagues in their local stores to kick-start the activity, and the team will support the winning group right the way through their project. In addition to receiving products, tools and plants, there will be volunteer hours allocated to help bring the project to fruition and keep their outdoor spaces blooming.
Action for Children supports disabled young people to ensure they have the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers with community-based services. The team supports children to make and meet friends, connect with their communities and enjoy new opportunities and experiences.
St Vincent’s Centre, Brixton is a community centre run by the St Vincent de Paul Society to work with people and communities offering practical help, general support and friendship to the lonely, hungry, homeless and vulnerable. With Dobbies’ help, the group hopes to improve their premises with plants and hanging baskets to bring nature to those without access to a garden or green space.
Kensington Primary Academy hopes to use Dobbies’ support to update their outdoor green spaces and make them spaces for learning to teach the pupils about gardening skills, responsibility, patience, and the importance of being outside in nature.
Recent research* from Dobbies by Censuswide found that 71% of Brits say being close to nature helps them relax, highlighting the importance of initiatives like Dobbies Community Gardens to help green spaces thrive.
Dobbies’ colleagues are passionate about gardens and plants, championing garden living all year round to create experiences that bring people and communities together.
Nick Anderson, Dobbies’ Operations Director, is thrilled with the response to Dobbies Community Gardens. He explained: “We are really pleased to have had so many community groups get in touch looking for support with their green spaces.
“little dobbies stores in London had the responsibility of picking a community group to back this year, choosing Action for Children, St Vincent’s Centre and Kensington Primary Academy as its winners. We’re looking forward to seeing these outdoor green spaces flourish over the year.”
For more information about Dobbies work in the community and to see this year’s Dobbies Community Gardens’ winners, visit dobbies.com/community-gardens
