Cultivating Connection: Grassmoor Community and Memorial Gardens

17 hours ago
5 min read

A beautiful reminder that, even in our darkest times, there is light to be found in shared purpose and community.

This fabulous initiative is not just about planting flowers - it's about sowing the seeds of connection, healing, and belonging. Importantly, “It shows that we don’t have to wait for someone else to take action—we can create change ourselves.”

In the heart of Grassmoor, a remarkable transformation has taken place at the Community Pavilion in Barnes Park, spearheaded by an amazing team of volunteers, led by local resident Valerie.

A Vision for Community

After the loss of her mother, June, and reflecting on her wish to create a community space using the wasted strip of land around the Pavilion building, the idea blossomed and Valerie set out to honour her mother’s memory by building a garden that would serve as a sanctuary for all, whether in grief or simply in search of a peaceful place to reflect.

Valerie collaborated with Rachel, from Sunshine and Shade, a local bereavement and friendship group.

She brought together a team of volunteers, including 21 local residents, as well as Pavilion staff members who volunteered their own time.

Other local community groups also contributed to the project, including Clay Cross Art Group and Grassmoor Craft Group.

Even more were involved in the planting, including Grassmoor Rainbows, the Youth Club and Baby group. The Boot and Slipper Pub across the road from the Pavilion also contributed a wooden bench to provide a place for residents to sit.

That vision has now become a reality; creating a communal outdoor space that is a haven for everyone, providing a place to remember loved ones or simply to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Fostering Social Connection

"Losing someone often leads to profound loneliness, making it difficult to navigate life after loss".

The Grassmoor Community and Memorial Garden seeks to address this challenge head-on.

By creating a space that welcomes individuals of all ages and backgrounds, the garden not only serves as a tribute to those lost, but also encourages ongoing connections within the community.

Through hosting events like the Planting Day and the Open Day, the initiative fostered opportunities for people to come together, support one another, and celebrate life, promoting a culture of shared experiences and mutual healing.

Encouraging Active Participation and Community Ownership

The impact of this initiative reaches far beyond its physical space. It empowers residents to take ownership of their community and fosters a sense of pride in contributing to something meaningful. For many, including Valerie, participating in this project has ignited a sense of purpose.

“With just an idea and the willingness to pull together a team, we’re making a tangible difference,” Valerie shares. “It shows that we don’t have to wait for someone else to take action—we can create change ourselves.”

Valerie wanted to separate this deeply personal project from her professional role as Grassmoor Community Centre and Community Pavilion Manager.

She wanted to make sure the garden was created by and for the people of Grassmoor; something the community felt connected to and part of.

She was also keen to make it happen without wasting time with formalities and she wanted to avoid having to rely on ‘higher ups’ to agree to create or maintain the space in the future.

As a volunteer, Valerie was eligible for the super simple Feeling Connected grants, which made it easy and quick to get the project off the ground - once permission to use the land had been granted – and the team’s shared vision and collective determination to see this project come to life was pivotal in overcoming that particularly challenging hurdle.

A Lasting Legacy

The first Planting Day brought together families, friends, and individuals from all walks of life—some as young as toddlers, others in their nineties—creating an inclusive atmosphere of joy and camaraderie.

As they dug into the earth, planting colourful blooms, they were not just cultivating flowers; they were cultivating community and connection.

A few weeks later, the Open Day welcomed everyone to enjoy the garden. A beautiful Memorial Ceremony led by Sunshine and Shade was complemented by a celebration of the collective effort to create the garden.

As Val reflected on what everyone had created, she said "It was a great day, it really was lovely to see it come together”

This space remains accessible to all, serving as a comforting retreat where people can reflect, connect, and thrive.

Funding and Support from Feeling Connected

The Grassmoor Community and Memorial Garden initiative has benefited immensely from the support of the Feeling Connected project and its inclusive network called the Feeling Connected Family.

Through funding, workshops, and community connections, Valerie and the team of volunteers have been able to bring their vision to life.

“Thank you so much for your continued support. I’m so pleased you could see the idea from my perspective”

The Feeling Connected Grants paid for essential supplies for the garden itself, including bark for the plant borders and a rainbow of colourful flowers representing the local Rainbows group.

It also funded the purchase of a special willow tree, ‘June’, in honour of Valerie’s mother, who first sowed the seeds of this initiative before she sadly passed away.

Importantly, the grant provided plants and flowers for those who wanted to plant in honour of their lost loved ones, but who might not have the means to contribute financially.

Additionally, funds allowed the people of Grassmoor and all those involved to mark the opening of this special place with an Open Day, including a memorial service, complete with decorations and refreshments.

Furthermore, the collaboration with Sunshine and Shade, also a Feeling Connected Family member, enriched the initiative with a beautiful commemoration book with illustrations from Clay Cross Art Group.

Together, everyone involved is helping to combat loneliness and isolation while nurturing community spirit and social connection in Grassmoor.

Valerie emphasizes, “The support from Feeling Connected has been invaluable. It’s given us the resources and encouragement to move forward.”

The Grassmoor Community and Memorial Garden initiative is a testament to the power of community and the healing that can happen when people come together.

It stands as a reminder that, even in our darkest times, there is light to be found in connection and shared purpose.