Mitcham Gardens is a long-awaited green space initiative that took approximately 13 years to come to fruition. The journey to secure this land was marked by persistence, setbacks, and renewed efforts over the years. Initially, repeated conversations with Incommunities, the housing association responsible for the land, led nowhere. At times, the project stalled, but after a few years, renewed efforts were made to engage both the local council and Incommunities about transforming a derelict, inaccessible space into a vibrant community garden.

A breakthrough came a year before the pandemic, when new staff at Incommunities and increased support from the council led to a successful outcome. The group was granted a lease for the land, allowing the project to finally move forward. With this milestone, funding was secured to grow produce and create a welcoming space for families. Today, Mitcham Gardens has become an essential part of the community, particularly in the summer months when families gather to barbecue, socialize, and enjoy the outdoors.

The space has hosted family fun days, where women cook and eat together, fostering a sense of community and shared experience. Planters in the garden are used to grow vegetables and flowers, making the space more inviting. However, vandalism remains a challenge, and as a result, Mitcham Gardens is most actively used during the warmer months, when the planters can be refreshed and repurposed. Despite these challenges, the space continues to serve as a vital hub for the community, offering residents—many of whom lack private garden space—a place to gather, grow, and connect with nature.

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