Girls in Kew Riverside are taking a walk on the wild side in the heart of their urban community, and getting to make art, at the Pensford Field Wildlife garden in Kew.
Thanks to a grant from Thames Valley Housing’s Community Chest Fund, Pam Ibrahima, a Community Youth Worker and member of the Pensford Field Environmental Trust, has been able to buy new equipment for the project.
She says, “I run the project voluntarily, every Saturday. The girls are all locals, and all ages, ranging from 7 up to 14. They get the chance to learn about the environment and to appreciate nature; they find out about plants, insects, including lots of species of butterflies and, thanks to our resident fox and the badger set, about animals too.”
“We also have an eco-garden where edible wild plants grow. The girls get to take samples away to eat and to cook with at home.”
“They also get to make art, using the wildlife to make drawings, paintings and taking photographs of the garden. Thanks to the donation from TVH, I’ve been able to buy lots of new easels and drawing materials for the girls to use. “
John Baldwin, Housing Director, TVH said, “Providing these young people with the chance to appreciate wildlife, be creative and work together in a safe space has a really positive impact on how they view themselves within their community and in the wider world.
Thames Valley Housing launched Community Chest in 2007. It is now part of TVH’s Community Investment Strategy, which provides funding to TVH residents, community projects and wider community based charitable programmes working within TVH’s areas.
For more information about and Thames Valley Housing and the Community Investment Strategy, please email Rosalind Grozier, or phone on 0208 607 0886.
Notes to Editor:
1) Thames Valley Housing is based in Twickenham, South West London and houses a wide range of people who have many different needs. Founded in 1966, the association owns, manages and administers loans for over 13,000 properties in London, Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire and Sussex, and has 857 properties under construction. Thames Valley Housing provides affordable rented homes, shared ownership, market rent, student and key worker accommodation, working with eight NHS Trusts.
2) Pensford Field is a Wildflower field in Kew. It is run by a volunteer committee. The aim of the garden is to provide the community with a relaxing haven amongst the urban sprawl and to provide the users with a chance to learn about nature and what they can do to benefit the environment. 160 volunteers maintain the garden and organise a range of events including a winter Wassail and out of school clubs. The garden has been made a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, and is a designated place of tranquillity by Transport for London.