Hailsham has pockets of deprivation in a county of relative affluence.  Wealden District Council’s ‘Health Profile’ highlights the high level of health-related issues in the town, including conditions such as obesity.

The Hailsham Trust promotes the benefit to the public of urban or rural regeneration in areas of social or economic deprivation, such as Hailsham.  They received £1,996 from our East Sussex County Council Seedcorn Fund to support the development of an ‘Urban Garden’ which aimed to engage local people with their environment through growing their own food, promoting sustainable use of water and creating homes for wildlife. The Trust worked in partnership with volunteers from the Newhaven Community Employability Partnership (NewCEP), Hailsham in Bloom and ESAB.

What did they do

“We asked Hailsham in Bloom to build us a planter and three window boxes and fill them with plants. We bought two small lavender bushes and and grew them up to larger plants, putting them on the high street outside our charity shop so that passers-by could enjoy the scent of lavender. We organised two foraging walks along the Cuckoo Trail. At the charity shop launch, we handed out 40 packets of seeds. We put up an insect box above the planter and installed a water butt to collect rainwater.  We held a plant day at our charity shop and gave away vegetable seedlings for people to grow at home, in pots or garden areas. We have started working with the Hailsham Allotment Society, helping them raise money to construct a toilet on the allotments.”

What did they say

“The plants have made a massive difference. They smell so nice and make such a difference to the car park.”

“Looking after the planter has been relaxing – watering and dead-heading.”

“I love the idea of promoting wildlife and insects.”