Smartline Research
Creating a green space to improve community life
In 2018, we contacted community members in West Camborne to find out what would make their community a better place to live.
This started new conversations and a theme was identified linked to a small green space located on Coronation Avenue. The group agreed they would love to transform the unused land into somewhere people can relax, enjoy nature and meet people.
“I really like getting together to work on the green space, there is a lot of camaraderie between us and we have some good laughs.”
Green spaces can improve health and wellbeing
The community agreed they would like to transform the green space on Coronation Avenue, shown in the centre of this picture.
Research has found that living in an urban area with green space can have a significantly positive impact on wellbeing. Can green spaces improve community cohesion too?
The area, called Coronation Avenue, is located in a large urban area and includes more than 50 sheltered housing bungalows for people over the age of 60. We decided this would make an excellent research project to find out how improving green spaces could improve community cohesion and wellbeing.
“The purpose of the new green space is to encourage community interaction by creating a place to meet. This will hopefully help to combat loneliness, share skills, and improve residents mental and physical health.”
The opportunity
Local artist, Melanie Chadwick, designed the green space ready for the community to build together.
Once we identified that residents wanted to see the green developed, we sprung into action. We formed a committee to direct the project, which included members of the community and our project coordinator for Coastline Housing, Phil Gilbert. The committee wanted to ensure that everybody in the community had a say on what they would like to see developed.
The team produced flyers, held meetings and knocked on doors. The response were very positive with many wishing to have this area developed into a communal ‘Village Green’.
Next, the committee worked with a local artist, Melanie Chadwick, to design ideas for the green space. Based on community feedback in local workshops, the team chose a final design ready to start creating.
“We created the design based on the community feedback we gained in workshops. The design included several planters that are at an accessible height and close to pathways so that people with limited mobility or in wheelchairs can access them easily.”
How have we improved the community space?
The committee has now installed new planters built by a local carpenter and school. They also hosted a planting day welcoming people to plant bulbs and get involved with gardening activities.
The space also has exercise equipment designed for gentle exercise and activities.
The committee worked hard to secure lottery funding for new sturdy benches made out of recycled plastic. This means people can stop to relax and meet people.
Karen Spooner and Phil Gilbert (pictured) from the Smartline team have been involved throughout the project.
“It has brought my neighbours out and we now can sit outside in comfort and have a chat. It’s made a real difference as we never interacted like this before.”
This photo shows one of the new benches which have been carefully chosen as they are comfortable, sustainable and sourced locally.
Committee members work together to fill planters.
Members of the community getting together to plant new bulbs.
What’s next?
Before lockdown the committee were given an award for community project of the year by Coastline Housing. We will be hosting a celebratory launch event for the community and look forward to welcoming everyone who has been involved. We will also be following up with community members to find out how often they use the new green space, and how this has made them feel healthier, happier and more connected to the community.
“We are there to help spark conversations and guide action. We eventually look forward to handing this project back over to the community once the garden has been successfully established.”
The committee members of the green space project celebrate the completion of the new green space.
Who is involved?
From Smartline: Phil Gilbert and Adrian Ankers from Coastline Housing, Karen Spooner from Volunteer Cornwall and Dr Tim Walker from the University of Exeter.
We’d also like to thank the project’s committee for their hard work, Coastline Community Grant, the National Lottery (Your Local Connections Fund), Camborne Science and International Academy, Bamford Doors, Camborne Town Council, and everyone in the community for being involved.