Ealing Council has teamed up with a community group to help residents start growing their own food on a Northolt estate and make other improvements to the area.

Local group Urban Edible Garden and the council has been working with residents from the Radcliffe estate to create growing spaces that will provide healthy and nutritious food for the people that live there.

The project, Breaking Ground, is designed to help residents develop solutions to local environmental and estate issues, such as anti-social behaviour and litter.

Growing food

Residents have attended events and workshops on the estate, including planting days for people of all ages to learn more about growing food. Other events include an activities day and walking tours around the estate to inspire ideas for change.

Last year Urban Edible Gardens was recognised by an independent report for how it is making food accessible for Black, Asian and minority ethnic residents, supporting health and wellbeing.

Councillor Deirdre Costigan, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action said: “We are determined to help our residents tackle food waste and grow their own food through programmes like Breaking Ground. The Radcliffe estate edible gardens project is just one of the ten community growing spaces we are delivering in the borough, alongside our 46 allotments.

“Some of the results of the climate emergency are sadly dirty air and food shortages. That’s why we are working with our residents to make Ealing net zero by 2030.”

Community spirit

Jenny, who has lived on the estate for 24 years said: “We’ve got a few social issues on the estate at the moment. I think building us all together would mean that we can eradicate some of those issues.”

Watch the full video on YouTube.

What’s next

Residents on the estate have already told the council they want to grow food and have artwork around the estate. They also want the environment to be cleaner and have more youth activities.

The council has partnered with Create Streets to bring residents on Radcliffe estate free workshops that will provide them with the tools to help implement the changes that the residents want to see happen.

Get involved

If you live at the estate and want to be part of the project, please fill in an online form. For more information on the workshops, email abdelrahmane@ealing.gov.uk.