Social Inclusion
(The information below is edited from a report 'Growing Projects: Harnessing the Opportunities' (2010), prepared by Ailish O'Neill a Health Promotion Specialist at the Lothian NHS Trust, the report can be downloaded at the Health & Wellbeing page.)
Introduction
Social capital is increasingly being recognised for its role in the development and growth of society, it recognises how the social organisation of a community, its networks and social trust help to benefit the community as a whole. Social capital is of recognised benefit to health and wellbeing. Developing social capital at community level and among groups of individuals can help to address the health inequalities that result from social isolation, feelings of low self-esteem and low levels of support.
Community gardens have an extensive role to play in the creation of both human and community capital as they provide access to a green area that can easily be utilised by community members. As both urban renewal and social capital is increasingly on the government agenda, community gardens can provide a new focus for the direction of urban renewal.
Gardening by its very nature is an inclusive activity which allows people of different ages, cultures and diverse backgrounds to come together to share a common interest. Sharing this common bond provides the opportunity to develop a social network.
Young and Old
Often children and older people can feel excluded from public places, however users of community gardens have identified them as ‘safe places’ that provide support and recognition generating a sense of inclusion and security.
Community gardens promote intergenerational learning, fostering a sense of respect and understanding between young and old. They can provide an opportunity for young people to engage and socialise as part of a team. The process of planting produce and waiting for it to grow before harvesting can act as an incentive for younger people to stay involved in a project. This engagement with younger members of a community helps them feel valued and respected in society.
Working on a community garden fosters a sense of sharing and can be a point of mutual support to those that attend it and their families. Produce is often shared among those working on the plots with surrounding neighbours. This helps to develop and strengthen a strong sense of community among neighbours. A study conducted among a group of gardeners over the age of 65 revealed how they preferred to garden communally rather than individually as it offered increased opportunity for social interaction and support. Community gardens can act as an extension of the home environment helping individuals to achieve a sense of identity.
Acceptance of Others
Community gardens provide a platform to promote acceptance of others and an understanding of different cultures and lifestyles. They can help to promote the socialisation of asylum seekers and refugees into new and unfamiliar cultures and environments. It is important that a community garden is a recognised ‘safe place’ for users. Often gardens may be established to help meet the needs of a specific group in society. They provide an outlet for people who are experiencing difficulties in their life or who are dealing with difficult situations to come together and recognise and share their experiences helping to remove the stigma associated with feeling different. The strength of sharing a common interest helps to foster a sense of sharing. Successful projects to date have provided an outlet for people suffering from mental health issues, drug and alcohol addiction and sexual violence.
Empowerment
Community gardens provide access to a green area that can be easily utilised by individuals particularly in areas classified as having high levels of deprivation which often have limited access to green space.
Community garden members form strong links and this social strength often forms a platform for other community issues to be raised. A study by Linden & Grut 2002 illustrated how other pressing and important topics such as housing issues, police matters and issues regarding bill payments were commonly raised among participants in community gardens. Community gardens can be the first step in helping to address other community concerns.
Urban Renewal
The development of a community garden can lead to improvements in the overall appearance and the sense of security in a local area as often work can extend beyond the garden. People develop a sense of pride and belonging to their community taking ownership of issues, boosting morale and helping to improve the physical appearance of the local area. The quality of green space in an area can be a strong indicator of the health and wellbeing experienced by the community living in the area.