Growing community connection at Sundon Park
Sundon Park Men's Shed is one of six organisations to receive funding through the newly launched Better Luton Environment Fund, delivered by SUEZ in partnership with Luton Council. The fund supports projects that reduce waste, enhance biodiversity and encourage more sustainable living across the town.
The group has been awarded funding to establish a new Community Garden Club in Sundon Park. Using donated and recycled materials alongside grant funding, the project will create a sensory flower bed, grow herbs, fruit and vegetables, introduce bug-friendly planting, install a solar-powered water feature and develop a peaceful seating area for residents to enjoy.
Delivered in collaboration with Hatter's Health Primary Care Network (PCN), the garden club aims to support men who may be experiencing loneliness, anxiety, depression or other life challenges by providing a welcoming space where they can connect with others. Through regular sessions, members can come together for a chat, share skills and experiences, enjoy a cup of tea and work collectively to improve their local environment.
To support the project, SUEZ volunteers joined a community gardening session on 08 October, providing a skip and helping to clear green waste from the site in preparation for the new garden.
Jon Melling, Contract Manager, at SUEZ, said: "World Mental Health Day is a great opportunity to recognise the value of community connection and the positive impact this can have on wellbeing. The Sundon Park Men's Shed project is a fantastic example of how environmental initiatives can also benefit people by helping to build friendships, learn new skills and feel more connected to their local community. We're really proud to support the group through the Better Luton Environment Fund and look forward to seeing the garden flourish in the coming year."
Joe Grassi from Sundon Park Men's Shed added: "Our aim is to create a welcoming space where people can come together, enjoy gardening and support one another. The funding will allow us to create a garden that benefits the whole community while helping people who may otherwise feel isolated or alone."
The Better Luton Environment Fund is financed through income generated from donations and purchases at Luton Council's reuse shops, ensuring that items given a second life deliver wider benefits for local people and the environment.