A COMMUNITY garden which was created in place of a vacant former allotment site has been given a prestigious Green Flag award.

Trust Links, a mental health and wellbeing charity, used a £300,000 five-year grant from the Big Lottery Fund to transform the grounds in Shoebury into a productive garden.

Growing Together Shoeburyness now runs a range of groups including for adults with mental health problems and learning disabilities, young people, school groups, early years groups, home educated children and a women’s group.

The site on Elm Road, next to The Woodlands, has been transformed through the construction of two polytunnels, a log cabin, wildlife pond, outdoor classroom and several vegetable growing areas.

The community garden even houses two beehives, four guinea pigs and is regularly visited by wildlife including ducks. More than 500 adults with mental health problems and learning disabilities and young people have been involved in developing the garden, whilst training in horticulture and garden maintenance.

Growing Together Shoeburyness has now been awarded the Green Flag Community Award, demonstrating that the garden has reached a high standard and is of benefit to the whole community.

Matt King, Trust Links chief executive, said “We are grateful to the Big Lottery Fund and the other funders for supporting the establishment of Growing Together Shoeburyness.

“Over the last five years the project has transformed the land and has also helped to transform people’s lives, giving them new skills, the chance to meet new people and a real sense of achievement and hope.”

The Big Lottery Fund awarded Trust Links the funding to develop the garden and support adults with mental health problems and vulnerable young people over a five year period. Trust Links will continue to run Growing Together Shoeburyness and is encouraging donations from the public via www.trustlinks.org