Young gardeners blossom at the Link Centre

A thriving gardening club at the Link Centre is helping children discover the joys of nature, growing food, and caring for wildlife, thanks to support from contractors’ Social Value Funding.

The gardening club, run by Taunton East Development Trust, welcomes 16 children who regularly attend sessions. The young gardeners are learning a wide range of skills, from growing vegetables, flowers and fruit to understanding the importance of insects and pollinators in the environment.

The children get hands-on experience throughout the growing season, sowing seeds, caring for plants, and harvesting their produce. They are encouraged to taste everything they grow, with favourites including radishes, sweetcorn and even edible flowers. Through these activities, they are gaining valuable knowledge about healthy eating, sustainability and where food comes from

This week, Sharon Yarde and Sharon Sloan, Tenant Engagement Officers were thrilled to deliver the club’s wish list of gardening equipment from contractors’ Social Value contributions, enabling the project to continue growing and giving children even more opportunities to learn outdoors.

Through the support of Social Value funding, this much-loved project is helping to inspire the next generation of gardeners and environmental champions.