Volunteers build wildlife friendly garden in Lower Wortley
Leeds Federated Housing Association teamed up with Leeds environmental charity, Hyde Park Source, to create a biodiverse garden that gives back to its community and the wildlife.
Working closely with Leeds Federated, Hyde Park Source redesigned the communal garden at Greenside Walk in Lower Wortley, into a vibrant, space that benefits both residents and wildlife.
At the beginning of May, Leeds Federated colleagues came together alongside Equans, Gallaghers, NHS and Krinkels to begin transforming the garden. Materials were donated by Huws Gray.
Together, they planted a variety of trees, herbs and vegetables designed to grow and flourish over the years.
As part of the redesign, the garden will also have bug hotels for local wildlife and a vegetable library that invites the community to swap and share fresh produce.
Leeds Federated’s Social Value Lead, Georgie Kay, who led the project, said: “Working with Hyde Park Source and their team of volunteers to deliver a new biodiversity garden for our customers and wider community in Lower Wortley has been an absolute joy, and a reflection of Leeds Federated’s commitment to deliver social value within our neighbourhoods.
“Colleagues from across Leeds Fed, our contractors Huws Gray, Equans and Gallaghers, and wider corporate volunteers from the NHS and Krinkels have helped to create a space that will improve the health and wellbeing of all residents, enhance the air quality and be a space for nature to thrive. Thank you to all those involved!”
Gemma, from Hyde Park Source said: “This project has been an absolute joy to be part of! It’s been wonderful connecting with residents and passers-by who’ve taken an interest, and we’re so grateful to the amazing volunteers who’ve helped bring it to life.
“We’ve had such positive support so far! People have even offered to help water the plants during this hot weather, which has been incredible. It’s also been fantastic to hear such encouraging feedback about how the space has been transformed.
“At its heart, this project is about creating forest garden guilds and supporting biodiversity through thoughtful, community-led planting, and it’s inspiring to see it already making a difference.”
Leeds Federated is a housing association that provides around 5,000 affordable homes to customers across homes across Leeds, Wakefield, Kirklees, and North Yorkshire.