There was a flurry of excitement and activity when the team of staff and volunteers decided to refurbish the planters at the front of the building. Having spent a few seasons looking a little sad, the time finally came when Hub volunteers, Bud and Franky, took matters into their own hands and submitted a proposal to revamp the planters, bringing them back to life.

Bud, our horticultural consultant on the matter shared that ‘As a (nearly ex) professional gardener, I know all about the perils and pitfalls – dogs, damage, ‘disappearances’…- of working in the public realm i.e. on the streets. But the planters outside the Hub looked really miserable, particularly as they are the ‘public face’ of the Hub, and they lured me in. I needed an accomplice, and thankfully one was available in the person of one of the newer volunteers (Franky). So, plants were obtained, improvements made…and the actual planting day itself was a model of community cohesion…volunteers, service users and even complete strangers walking past all pitched in! Even in this small urban space, connecting with nature made us all feel better, happier. Let’s hope we can continue to protect and improve this outside space. (May need more watering cans)’

Thankfully, everyone agreed and the team including Bud, Franky, friends, volunteers from Mencap and The Advocacy Project, set to work on transforming the entrance to create a welcoming and aesthetic area for all to enjoy.

Having joined forces with Bud, Franky said that “Revamping the yellow planters outside brought out the hidden gardeners in our local community (and myself!), it was an awesome day of embracing all of our creativity to cultivate new life outside the front of the Hub!  This project really celebrated nature and how we can give back and nurture it, just as it provides for us in so many ways, especially at the Hub and all the food produce we are lucky to receive to create delicious meals for the community.”

The plants were collected the day before so that the team of gardeners could set to work at the end of August. The rain held off and each planter was gifted a theme to create a sensory experience using climate resilient perennial plants that, with a little care, will continue to brighten the outside space for years to come.

Andreea, Deputy Hub Manager loved the idea and said that ‘We are so grateful to our thoughtful and proactive volunteers. The proposal, research and work completed by Bud and Franky was thorough and thanks to their efforts, we now have beautiful plants welcoming everyone to Nourish Hub.’

Thanks to Franky and Bud for initiating the refurbishment and pulling the team together. It was a joyous day, enjoyed by all with almost brand-new looking planters, ready to welcome our community kitchen members long into the winter months.