Our Gardens Stream is made up of parks, community gardens and small holdings that share our vision of wanting to be welcoming spaces for newcomers to our city, many of whom have experienced traumatic journeys on their way here.
Grapes Hill Community Garden
This community garden in the heart of Norwich has become our first Garden of Sanctuary. It is open daily to everyone during daylight hours for use as a quiet space. It also welcomes sanctuary seekers to get involved in gardening with them, especially every other Sunday afternoon. For more information about events and opening times, visit their website. The Awards Panel were particularly impressed by the Celebration of International Culture that takes place during Refugee Week in June as well as their links with local refugee charities. A local sanctuary seeker gave this feedback: “the garden could be an excellent location for communities to celebrate Iftar or Eid. He will share with his Afghan community that the garden is a very welcoming space and encourage people to use it as a safe, green space to go to…especially for those who are often confined to their homes.”
Field of Joy in Reepham
Young asylum seekers and refugees from City College Norwich attend a weekly course at the small holding, giving the students the opportunity to work with livestock and on the land. They welcome volunteers with lived experience of migration. Field of Joy is working towards becoming a Garden of Sanctuary.
Friends of Waterloo Park also reach out to the local refugee community by offering their space either as a quiet retreat or a place to garden and grow. They encourage local sanctuary seekers and their families to join them for events held during school holidays or during Refugee Week.
If you’re interested in applying for a Sanctuary Award, find out more in our Gardens of Sanctuary Resource Pack or email us on [email protected]