Support the Neighbourhood Network bringing a 2025 RHS Chelsea garden to Hull

The Neighbourhood Network is excited to have been selected as the relocation home of the Songbird Survival Garden after exhibiting at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this May 2025.

To help bring this exciting project to life and redevelop the full garden, to complement the Songbird garden, the team have set up a crowdfund though Aviva, who will match any funding raised! Help support the charity by visiting From Concrete to Community Garden – a Community crowdfunding project in Hull (avivacommunityfund.co.uk)

The Songbird Garden inspired by the movement and perspective of a bird, foraging for food and water while moving between points of safety and shelter. Two pathways will weave between layers of planting, mimicking how birds prefer to move through a network of cover. At the centre of the garden is the Birdhouse Den, made from reclaimed materials. It includes six hand-crafted metalwork motifs of at-risk UK songbirds. Bird friendly planting provides natural sources if food, nesting material and shelter. A circular pond provides shallow water for birds to drink and bathe in.

The Songbird Survival Garden, designed by Nicola Oakey and supported by Project Giving Back will be unveiled at the RHS Chelsea Flower show in May 2025, before being relocated to its new home at our Community Centre, 87 Goodhart Road, Bransholme, Hull.

The wider community centre garden – The outdoor space at the community centre is currently not used at all by the local community and has been described as ‘seeing better days’ and ‘concrete jungle’ by many. The garden area is fully hard landscaped and currently does not have safe access for all to use. The Neighbourhood Network team are working hard to obtain funding support to develop the larger space to meet the needs of the community.

Joint charity managers Lucy Carew and Sarah Weichardt shared why developing this area of the community centre and receiving a prestigious Chelsea Flower Garden is so important.   

Lucy said: “The outdoor space at the community centre is currently not used at all by the local community and has been described as ‘seeing better days’ and ‘concrete jungle’ by many.  The garden area is fully hard landscaped and currently does not have safe access for all to use.  The vision is that the existing concrete space can be transformed into a vibrant, welcoming community space, accessible for all.   

We believe the garden could put Bransholme on the map and are incredibly proud to be the ones facilitating this opportunity for our community.” 

Sarah said: “A community garden is a great way for people to come together, enjoy nature, and learn how small changes can help local wildlife and the environment. It’s a space where everyone can do their bit and see the benefits of caring for our surroundings. 

But it’s not just about nature—it’s about people too. This garden will bring groups together, giving them a chance to try something new, meet others, and feel part of the community. It’s especially helpful for those feeling lonely or isolated. Whether it’s learning new skills, improving health and wellbeing, or simply enjoying the outdoors, we want this space to be something the whole neighbourhood can be proud of.” 

The vision is that the existing space can be transformed into a vibrant, welcoming community space – accessible for all. The team plan to make the space large enough to host activities such as yoga and meditation, with the addition of raised beds and fruit bushes for community growing and foraging, encouraging new users and even more beneficiaries of the garden.

Before the Songbird Survival Garden can arrive, the current concrete and paved space needs to be cleared and levelled.  Paths will need to be laid, with additional drainage put it.  The charity is appealing for support with this project from local businesses and a crowdfunding page has been set up to help. 

Help support the charity by visiting From Concrete to Community Garden – a Community crowdfunding project in Hull (avivacommunityfund.co.uk)

To support the development of the garden space the Neighbourhood Network charity is seeking donations, offers of volunteering, expertise or help from anyone that is interested in redeveloping this community space.

Fore more information on how you can be involved please email office@nnetwork.org.uk or call the team on 01482 826061, or visit our volunteer page Volunteer Opportunities | Neighbourhood Network Hull