Students learn about Reading’s wellbeing gardens at Reading University Community Fair

Reading University Community Fair gave RGWN the opportunity to introduce the students new to the area to the local nature engagement activities in Reading. The network was one of over 100 organisations from within the university or the local community to engage with students at the fair, held on the university Whiteknights campus last week. Nearly 1800 students attended the event, up on 1400 last year.

RGWN was represented by four member organisations that are within walking distance of the university campus – Ridgeline Trust, Erleigh Road Community Garden, British Islamic Gardens and Green Health Thames Valley (GHTV). Volunteers and staff from these organisations described the activities undertaken in the regular sessions and special events held by these organisations, all of which seek to promote mental and physical wellbeing.

RGWN encouraged students to consider getting involved. Therapeutic gardens, Ridgeline and GHTV, are always looking to recruit volunteers to work along side their client gardens, while Erleigh Road Community Garden and British Islamic Gardens invite volunteers to come and learn about gardening as they help tend these community gardens. No gardening knowledge is required and all tools are provided.

See sessions and events for further information about the regular sessions and special events run by RGWN’s member organisations, and the members page and individual members pages (Ridgeline Trust, Erleigh Road Community Garden, British Islamic Gardens and GHTV) for details of each organisation.