Redcatch Community Garden

Redcatch Community Garden was created in 2017, turning a disused bowling green into a vibrant community hub. The Garden was awarded a sizeable grant in 2023 to create pollinator-friendly spaces in the Garden, the surrounding Redcatch Park, and in the nearby community.

By working with volunteers and local schools, over 16,000m² of new habitat has been created including new planters, raised beds, a sensory garden, a wildlife pond, and a living planted wall.

The sensory garden is accessible for SEND children and vulnerable adults, allowing them to access the Garden and learn about pollinators. Gentle signposting and messaging around the Sensory Garden also encouraged those who visit to look after their own spaces where they can.

Over the course of the project, the team at Redcatch have created pollinator-friendly flowerbeds at two local schools as well as teaching the children about the importance of pollinators. For the wider community, weekly Gardening for Pollinators sessions were organised, offering anyone the opportunity to learn about pollinator-friendly gardening and work on the habitats within the Garden. This group has given the Garden the opportunity to expand their partnership with Step and Stone (opens in new tab), a Bristol-based bakery who work with young people with learning disabilities. Through the group, Redcatch have been able to offer a block of 4 gardening sessions to 8 new trainees and their support workers over the Spring. You can read more about this here (opens in new tab).

As part of the Avon Wildlife Trust’s Team Wilder podcast, Redcatch’s local wildlife champion and pollinator project team member, Ed, shared his experience and insights about the work happening at the Garden. To listen to this episode, follow this link (opens in new tab).