Springvale Community Garden is a charity with the aim of providing education about growing and healthy eating; conservation about the diverse habitat on site and providing opportunities for recreation and volunteering. It is a vibrant community asset which is well known for its volunteering opportunities and excellent seasonal vegetables, fruits and plants.

With funding from the Tesco Bags of Help scheme, those at Springvale Community Garden aim to make the entrance to the site more alluring and entrancing, providing better access for disabled people and people with prams. It is hoped that a curbed path (made up of concrete bobbles) will be put in place all the way around the entrance and up to the shop.

They also hope to create a raised bed at the entrance, containing sensory plants, that is not only beautiful but also tantalises the senses and encourages visitors to touch, taste, admire and listen. This will provide a stimulating learning experience for all ages, providing educational opportunities for local schools and youth groups, as well as providing an impressive and colourful entrance to the garden.

Springvale Community Garden is visited regularly by people who are looking for a place of solace. Those going through illness or difficulties can find healing through nature and a peaceful and therapeutic ambience. By improving access to the gardens, more people will be able to benefit from the environment and opportunities that the garden provides. “We are not a municipal garden, we are a place where people do things and people get involved” says Brenda Halliwell, a volunteer at the Garden. An increase in visitors could, in turn, lead to an increase in volunteers, providing people with opportunities to learn new skills (both in the garden and in the shop) or build on existing skills and knowledge, which they can share with others in the community.

In addition, they hope to provide seating, with an interpretation board and bird table. This seating is designed to make a dramatic impact, as it will be curved in line with the wall, almost like a sculpture. The local community will be able to benefit, as they will be encouraged to help build the seating and learn new skills, which may also help people looking for work experience.

You can vote for the Springvale Community Garden in the following Tesco stores:

• Bolton on Dearne Express
• Carlton Road Barnsley Express
• Hoyland
• Wombwell Sth York Express
• Barnsley Huddersfield Express
• Barnsley Extra
• Penistone

If you are interested in applying for the Tesco Bags of Help Grants Programme, you can find out all the information you need here.