RESIDENTS at Ecos Court in Frome have refurbished their communal veg patch so they can grow their own healthy fruit and vegetables – with the help of volunteers from South West housing association LiveWest.
The space will also be used as a meeting point where residents can hold events, connect with nature and sit and chat with a friend.
One resident at Ecos Court said, “After the pandemic, we are pleased to have help from LiveWest to refurbish this space for meeting outside and growing our own. The area is taking shape with glorious planters of fresh vegetables, habitats for insects, climbing plants and beautiful flowers to interact with.”
Shona Stone, community connector at LiveWest said, “Our customers’ wellbeing is important to us. We are happy to be out and by showing our support through our volunteering programme.
“LiveWest have provided funding towards the material costs for this area and volunteered our time to work with residents to replace the planters which have been used for the past 10 years as a veg patch. We have refurbished old ones, creating a central community point to hold events and meetings.
“Providing access to green spaces, communal garden areas and shared green spaces is a really big part of our community work. The green area will be important to residents, allowing them to socialise outside and enjoy the fresh air.”
LiveWest are the biggest social housing provider in the South West. They plan to build around 6,500 new homes over the next five years and will invest £2billion into the region over the next 10 years.
Managing over 39, 000 homes across the region, LiveWest is one of the first housing associations in the country to have launched an environmental blueprint with measurable targets.