Saffron Acres – Our Stories
The Saffron Acres site started off as a very small allotment plot a few years ago, where local people came together to learn gardening skills and socialise. Now, the site has expanded to around 13 acres and has a lot to offer the locals and the local wildlife.
The land itself was previously derelict and well known for antisocial behaviour like arson, fly tipping, graffiti and drug taking. The project took on the plot in one of the most deprived areas in the country and transformed it into an urban oasis full of environmental and educational features.
Over 3000 people directly benefit from the project, which is run by a very small staff team and volunteer base. Together, they have created a relaxing sensory garden, which is especially enjoyed by visiting schools with sensory needs. They have two polytunnels where they grow a wide variety of fruit and veg, experimenting with unusual varieties that aren’t available to buy in the supermarket—including their own local variety of plum, the ‘Syston White’.
Recently, they have planted up an additional 200 metres of native hedging to create a wildlife corridor. This area features a pre-Victorian field pond with a thriving population of smooth newts, there’s also newly-added beehives, a hazel and willow coppice, a bug hotel and a native wildflower meadow. The bird feeding station and nest boxes were installed to support local birds and a "squirrel sanctuary" was situated amongst nut trees and a little oak wood.
The last 12 months has seen them adapt the space for wheelchair accessibility and adding raised beds for working at different heights. Cuttings of strawberry, grape, blackberries, and loganberries have been planted out to increase the amount of food they can offer to the local foodbank schemes.
The garden has really brought the community together. They work with all age groups and backgrounds from parent and toddler groups, children at risk of exclusion, isolated older people in the community, people with disabilities and acquired injuries, probation teams, people looking for work experience, NCS groups, and university students. To make the most of this inviting environment they have built a community kitchen, composting toilet and a wood burner in our volunteer shelter - which perfect for warming up with a cup of hot chocolate in bad weather or as their sun cream spot during hot weather!
Sine they began, they have noticed a decline in levels of antisocial behaviour in the area generally. The wildlife value of the site has increased dramatically too, as they have now created wildlife corridors which link through to the local nature reserve and have created homes and safe places for smooth newts, birds, bees and other important wildlife.
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