We at the newly formed Briary Road Community Group, a Sovereign resident resident group, would like the following enhancements of our community green space:

* Eco-planters made of recycled material for a community garden, a Briary Road Community Garden
* A solar-powered water feature for small insects and animals, and community wellbeing
* Two further water butts for recently planted trees and plants
* The re-purposing of a disused bin store, for communal storage for the community, including items such as gardening cans, chairs, hoses, outdoor games and play activities for families, with a solar-powered light source
* A community leaf vacuum for collection of leafs for compost + a compost bin

Somerford is an area with a high number of people that do not use computers and we would like to install more community boards around the estate to better facilitate the communication between charities and community groups and the residents. I have identified that there are about 6 locations where a new community boards would be perfect and believe the project would cost around £5000 to complete.

We are a group of residents who live at St Denys. We would like to make improvements to the communal garden so that we can enjoy taking part in gardening, make it more accessible so we can sit out socialise and enjoy the garden more. We propose to prepare some areas for resident gardening, Levelling off uneven ground. Opening up and clearing shub and a bench so that we can have a nice open area to sit and clearing around our windows so that we can enjoy the view of the garden more. We would like to woodchip some other areas and prune fruit tress so they fruit more and we will then be able to sit underneath in the shade if required. If we have a nice garden it will help our mindset and attract other resident to come out. It will also Make us more proud of our environment. It will give us good feelings. We would like a couple of hose reels to help us in maintaining the garden and some containers and plants.

The community of residents and their visitors would benefit from:

* 2 new upcycled 3-seater benches outside block 16-17, and for one of the washing lines to be removed (the larger one)
* Awnings or a gazebo to protect residents from sun or rain and to allow for outdoor meetings during spring/summer and autumn
* Further new 3-seater benches in other areas of the Court where residents can sit, which will replace the old, unmaintained and broken benches, ideally being recycled plastic-slat benches for low maintenance. One as you enter the site, and one opposite (Mike to send through photos)
* New concrete hard standing for new benches, and concrete works where 3-seaters replace 2-seaters
* Ramps to steps for all buildings above ground floor where it is necessary to allow residents to get access to communal gardens
* Anaerobic composting container(s) so that food waste is recycled on-site into compost that gardeners and maintenance staff can use for fertiliser and composting
* Wind-powered weather vane, which conducts kinetic energy for charging phones
* Outdoor static piece of gym equipment for residents and visitors
* The installation of a solar water fountain
* Set up a greenhouse or polytunnel for vegetable growing

What the funding would be used for:
Transform the shrub plant area at the back of the building next to the car park into our own community vegetable plot. We would also like a picnic bench where we can escape from our flats, sit together, enjoy each others company and the fresh air.

Why? The Impact?
We are a block of 13 residents in brand new Shared Ownership homes having completed February 2021. We are blessed to be situated near Hawley Lake and a beautiful wooded area.
We are a mixture of like-minded people, mostly professional and me the elder. Due to the impact after Covid, around 50% of us still work from home and I am retired.
Most residents in the block live alone and we have all been drawn together it seems by one key feature in our lives - Anxiety, depression, stress and this in itself gives us all a greater understanding of each other's needs and indeed we have become our own family unit.
Whilst some of us have balconies and are able to benefit from outside space, where people grow flowers, small fruit and vegetables. Unfortunately, not all of us do and by having a communal garden this will give everyone an opportunity to care and grow their own plants.
Whilst we do pay for ground maintenance in our monthly service charge this is very sporadic and sometimes, especially now, looks a mess.
We would like a community vegetable plot not only to improve the space visually, but also to improve our mental wellbeing and bring us together. It is scientifically proven that gardening reduces depression, anxiety and improves social functioning. Gardening pleasantly distracts the brain by the nature around us, shifting our focus away from ourselves and our stresses, thereby restoring our minds and reducing negative feelings. As well as encouraging us to learn a new skill, become more socially and physically active and develop stronger ties with other residents in our neighborhood.
We are keen to maintain the grounds to a high standard and we have already worked together to keep our homes neat and visually pleasing.
We would also like a picnic bench where we can just sit and talk especially for those who do not benefit from a balcony. Those who work from home feel extremely isolated and where some are living and working from home there is no escape and being in your own space 24/7 seriously impacts your mental health. Having a bench will allow us to step away, get some fresh air, reduce our heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels. It also gives us a space where we can come together as a community. Allowing us to overall improve our mental wellbeing and social connections.