The Gateway Collective has received £24,780 from People’s Health Trust with money raised by the Health Lottery North West for a two-year project, Blooming Bootle, based in Bootle, Merseyside.
The Gateway Collective aims to empower and build a community of thriving local people with one aim – to make Bootle a better place using community gardening.
Founders Ali Horton and Janet Hughes had a vision to make Bootle a place blooming with positivity. With a passion for people, they decided to start a social enterprise to make a difference in Bootle and bring members of the community together, from all ages and backgrounds, to create a safe and fun space for people to gather, share their experiences and to bring their own skills to the project.
Participants gather every week in North Park Community Garden with the Gateway Collective and in South Park Community Garden with partner organisation Lotus Brook, which were once secluded parks, to join in on gardening activities, cook their harvests together and build relationships with each other. In addition to gardening, participants get to make their own jams and chutneys from their harvests, and they get to take home a portion of the produce harvested in each session.
As part of the Gateway Collective, the Blooming Bootle project was born, where participants plant edible plants and flowers, including crafts and woodworks in a two-year project aimed at extending the positivity around the town and improving the corridor – which will culminate in the first ever entry to the Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘In Bloom’ competition for Bootle.
Joe, one of the project’s participants shares his experience with the Gateway Collective and the Blooming Bootle project after joining in early 2019. He says “It’s fulfilling, meaningful and offers variety and interest. I really enjoy the sense of belonging to something worthwhile, spending time with good people doing good things. I like everything we do from the mundane to the magical. I love the outdoors and being in harmony with my environment.”
“The longer I’ve been involved, the more I’ve felt at one with nature. I’ve been involved in lots of different activities such as planting trees, growing fruit and vegetables, harvesting, foraging, visiting RHS shows, gleaning, making garden furniture, and lots of other things. I also go to the community garden in South Park and have got involved in our corridor days to green up Stanley Road. Thanks to Jan and Ali I’ve learned many things and hope to keep learning. I’d like to see the garden secure the old park keeper’s lodge and become a permanent jewel in Bootle’s crown” he added.
The funding from People’s Health Trust enabled the Blooming Bootle project to expand and accommodate the huge numbers of people that want to join in on the sessions. Co-founder Ali Horton said “the funding has really helped us in sustaining the project and allowed us to hire more people to support participants in carrying out their daily tasks. We have witnessed a big influx of people joining our weekly sessions, and with the current Covid-19 situation, our outdoor location has made us an attractive activity for people to come out and enjoy their time outdoors while receiving whatever support they need”.
Furthermore, the funding has helped the Gateway Collective expand into other areas and create strategic partnerships with local organisations, via the Taking Root in Bootle project facilitated by local charity and social enterprise Regenerus, in addition to supporting other local communal projects, all with the aim of making Bootle a better place for everyone.
Martin Ellice, Joint Managing Director of the Health Lottery, said “We are delighted to be funding such an inspiring project, aimed at improving and bringing the community closer together. Blooming Bootle are creating a space that is welcoming for everyone to join, learn new skills and meet new friends.”
“Through the Health Lottery, we aim to give everyone a chance and support those who aspire to make the world a better place.”
