The sun shone and visitors from the local community and beyond turned out to enjoy a fabulous afternoon of events and activities at Moulescoomb Forest Garden & Wildlife Project’s (MFGWP) annual Open Day recently.

The gardens, that were established as a community project in 1994, and as a formal charity in 2005, are located on the outskirts of Brighton in an area of high deprivation and where community facilities and outdoor spaces are limited.

Since they opened the gardens have become a haven for wildlife and provide an amazing outdoor learning space for children, young people and adults from the local community.  MFGWP work closely with local schools, social services, pupil referral units and other youth providers to connect young people with gardening, food and nature. Helping them learn outside the classroom, that in turn helps them to progress in a more typical classroom setting.

It’s a project that we have supported for a number of years, ensuring the services are available to children and young people in the area who need it most. It was great to pop along and say Hi to the fantastic staff team and volunteers who run the garden, and to have a go at some of the activities on offer – from corn grinding with Paul who was helping out on the day, to making macrame hanging baskets with the lovely volunteer Ruth. As well as helping to sell raffle tickets and of course stopping for tea and a piece of homemade cake!

To find out more about the project and the fantastic work they do visit their website https://moulsecoombforestgarden.org/