BLOGS (Brinnington Local Organised Group Society) was formed after Covid to reduce isolation and improve life for Brinnington residents. Entirely volunteer-run, the group hosts regular community activities like knit and natter, bingo, walks, and warm spaces. The team have also supported local food banks and recently created a communal garden in a tower block, showing the group's growing impact and pride in making a real difference locally.
The Kao SEED Fund will support the creation of the Peace and Peas Garden—a calm, green space beside the Lighthouse Church for all Brinnington residents to enjoy. With raised beds, green wall fencing for growing vegetables like cucumbers and beans, and peaceful seating areas, the garden will offer a place to relax, grow food, and build community. Volunteers from BLOGS, churchgoers, local schoolchildren, and elderly residents will help develop and care for the garden, with plans for open days and gardening workshops to encourage wider involvement and learning.
The Peace and Peas Garden will support a wide mix of Brinnington residents, including elderly people, schoolchildren, churchgoers, and care home residents. Over 50 locals have already offered to help, and a survey showed strong demand for a peaceful outdoor space with seating. The garden will provide a place to relax, grow food, and connect with others, while surplus produce will support community lunches, making it both a social and practical resource for the area.
This funding will allow us to buy a printing machine to print our own reusable tote bags for people coming to our food banks and social supermarket to use. The tote bags will also be brilliant for promoting our services too, as well as being more environmentally friendly than plastic bags. We’re so grateful to the Kao SEED Fund for helping us with the funding pot.
Kelly Gaskill, from Re:Dish
The Peace and Peas Garden will bring people of all ages and abilities together to create and care for a shared green space. It will offer a peaceful place to relax, promote healthy eating with free fruit and veg, and foster community pride. On fun days, produce like chutneys and jams may be sold to support the project. Impact will be measured through visitor numbers, community feedback, and the amount of food grown and shared.
