Northamptonshire Community Foundation Community Heroes of the Week
The Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust was set up to preserve and promote the heritage of Delapré Abbey and the surrounding estate, and to prioritise community wellbeing.
The Trust’s Growing for Wellbeing project was launched to tackle community challenges such as a scarcity of green spaces, health inequality and food insecurity across Northamptonshire. Twice-weekly gardening sessions enabled local residents to connect with each other, build their confidence and develop practical skills in growing food and maintaining green spaces.
The sessions enabled participants to join a welcoming, outdoor-focused activity, and many reported improvements in their mental wellbeing, reduced social isolation, a deepened connection to nature and a healthier lifestyle overall.
The Growing for Wellbeing project was supported by a grant from the Anchor Community Connection Fund, which is managed in Northamptonshire by Northamptonshire Community Foundation.
Northamptonshire Community Foundation is the county’s largest independent grant maker, having given more than £24 million in grants since its inception in 2001. The Foundation’s latest Impact Report is ready to read here.