The Bee Green Staple Hill project, led by the Staple Hill Community Hub, aimed to engage the local community of Staple Hill, located in northeast Bristol, in wildlife-friendly gardening while enhancing the surrounding shopping areas and Page Park.
The initiative focused on upskilling both children and adults in sustainable gardening practices. A key component of the project was the delivery of 46 ‘Sprouts Sessions,’ designed for children aged 7 to 11. These nature-based sessions became highly popular, with children showing an improvement in their confidence, social skills, and awareness of pollinators and biodiversity. Throughout the sessions, children created their own pollinator habitats, taking part in activities such as planting in the Hub's perennial flower beds.
In addition to the children’s sessions, 9 gardening workshops were offered to local adults, with prioritisation given to individuals who were financially disadvantaged or lacked regular access to quality green spaces. Participants left each session with a gardening goodie bag, including tools, seeds, and compost, empowering them to begin gardening projects at home.
Adult session volunteer:
“I’ve learnt a lot and I am going to do more gardening with my support worker at home now”
Throughout the Spring and Summer, the project also organised four community gardening days, attracting a diverse range of participants, including adults with learning difficulties, young families, and older residents. Volunteers worked together to plant pollinator-friendly plants in various locations, including the high street, Fountain Square, Victoria Street, and Byron Place car park. Attendees received seed packets to encourage continued gardening at home. The local high street shop owners even got involved, and have agreed to take some responsibility for watering the new planters.
In March, a wildflower patch was sown, and by April and May, a selection of pollinator-friendly plants was added to multiple areas of Page Park. The Sprouts Club constructed a large bug hotel near the sensory garden, which quickly became home to a variety of insects. While some members of the public commented that the wildflower patch appeared messy, the project team learned valuable lessons, particularly the need for clearer signage to explain the importance of such spaces for pollinators.
In September, a final gardening social event was held at Page Park, attended by 159 people. This event was a celebration of the project's success and featured workshops and talks, including a guest speaker from the Avon Wildlife Trust who shared valuable insights on pollinators. The event was so well-attended that resources ran out 30 minutes before the scheduled end, highlighting the overwhelming interest in the project. Despite this, the event was an energizing conclusion to the project, fostering a strong sense of community engagement and environmental stewardship.
