The Sheldon Road and Queen's East Community Garden was officially opened on Tuesday 4 August.
The community space had fallen into a state of disrepair but has now been revitalised through a partnership which we led.
The project has been made possible thanks to generous funding from building supplies merchant Travis Perkins, which provided £6,500 through its Community Legacy Fund. We contributed £6,210, while Wiltshire Council provided £2,000 towards the project and donated water butts and compost bins to help ensure the plants remain healthy.
The community garden was transformed by Valley View Fencing and Landscaping into a safe, functional and welcoming space for residents to enjoy.
Recent improvements include the installation of an accessible pathway, the provision of designated disabled parking, a garden shed providing secure storage for equipment, and raised planters creating attractive growing spaces that are easier to access and maintain.
In addition to funding the landscaping works, we also contributed a further £250 towards tools and equipment for volunteers from the Queen's East Residents Panel, who have committed to maintaining the garden going forward.
Cllr Clare Cape, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Public Health, said:
"Beautiful spaces can make such a difference to a community, and I'm sure this garden will become a valued place where residents can connect with one another, spend time in nature and enjoy the benefits that green spaces bring to both physical and mental wellbeing.
“Community Conversations is about listening to what matters to local people and working alongside them to create positive change. This project is a great example of residents and organisations working together to create something that will benefit the community for years to come. It's fantastic to see local people's ideas helping to shape a space that supports wellbeing, social connection and opportunities to grow and learn together."
The garden will provide opportunities for residents to grow food, spend time outdoors, be more physically active and build stronger social connections. Access to green spaces can support both physical and mental wellbeing, helping to reduce social isolation, encourage healthy lifestyles and strengthen community resilience.
Simon Henstock, our Locality Manager, said:
"I would like to thank all of the organisations that have helped make the Sheldon Road and Queen's East Community Garden possible. Special recognition is owed to my colleague Joanne, who managed this project throughout, as well as Louisa from the Community Conversations Team and the members of the Queen's East Residents Panel for their continued support.
"We hope this garden provides a safe and welcoming space for the community to enjoy for many years to come."
We own and manage more than 8,000 homes across Wiltshire and have also supported the conversion of a nearby phone box in Westcroft into a community book and seed swap.
Joanne Jones, our Housing Officer, said:
"We are delighted to officially open the Sheldon Road and Queen's East Community Garden, creating an accessible, inclusive and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.
"I am extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed their time, expertise and support to this project, and I look forward to seeing it enjoyed by the local community for many years to come."
The project has been supported by local community organisations including Chippenham Collective and Chippenham Shed, which designed, created and installed the garden sign.
