Rachel - Joyful Community Food Grower

“I moved onto Highbury Quadrant estate in 2019 and joined the community Gardening group in 2020.

I am unequivocal that my involvement in the group has made me feel connected to my community and defines my sense of 'home' as being more than the four walls of my flat.

I cannot calculate the benefit to me, neither do I really want to, as the joy of working in the gardens is not about personal gain, rather sharing a common interest and intent to make something beautiful, to enrich the immediate environment in which we live. 

However, it is impossible to overlook the sense of peace and comfort I find working within the group, digging, planting, sharing our experiences and learning together as part of a team.

I have made friends with my fellow gardeners as well as residents that live near the gardens, whom even though not actively 'working the land' have become part of our group, coming out to talk about what we are doing and offer their responses and share gardening stories.

I absolutely love working in the community garden spaces. It is very important to me.”