A much-loved charity in Edgbaston is giving away one million wildflower seeds as part of an ambitious citywide campaign to raise awareness and support for a new community hub which will serve even more people across Birmingham.
Martineau Gardens will be launching its Small Seeds, Big Dreams appeal on Thursday June 12th with a crowdfunder to kickstart the campaign.
The charity, a 2.5 acre garden on Priory Road, needs to raise more than £1 million for a new community hub.
The Small Seeds, Big Dreams appeal launch is the start of an incredibly exciting time for the charity, according to CEO Jenni Fryer.
“We are absolutely delighted to launch this appeal as it marks the next step towards our goal of building an essential community hub in the heart of the gardens,” she said.
“We desperately need a new building, not only to support the people who depend on our existing programmes, but to welcome the many more people who want to connect with each other and nature in our safe, welcoming space.”
The crowdfunder is to raise £50,000, which will cover the costs of the next stages of development for the building, and will be promoted on 10,000 seed packets, with each containing enough wildflower seeds to cover a square metre.
A team of staff and volunteers will be handing them out at events throughout the six-week campaign, as well as hosting Crowdfunding Cuppa sessions at the gardens.
“We wanted to spread the word about the crowdfunder and spread a bit of joy and hope at the same time, so sharing seeds seemed the perfect way to do it,” said Jenni.
“And if every seed we share is planted, it will create a wildflower meadow the size of our gardens – how fabulous would that be.”
Martineau Gardens currently offers therapeutic horticulture for vulnerable people with a range of support needs including mental health issues, brain injury and learning disabilities.
The gardens are free to enter and are open to the public six days a week, welcoming more than 12,000 visitors annually, and thousands of schoolchildren who visit to connect with nature and learn about the environment.
The new building, which already has planning permission, will house the charity’s existing operations, but will also allow the team to run additional programmes and welcome many more visitors, including local community groups and their activities, throughout the year.
“Our new building has been designed with local architects APEC, who worked with our volunteers, staff, trustees and visitors to create a fantastic space for everyone, all year round,” said Jenni.
“Our old building had to be demolished as it could not be made to comply with safety or energy requirements, leaving us with very limited indoor space. It has been heart-breaking to turn people away because we don’t have the facilities they need to stay warm and dry.
“The new design not only creates a cosy, inspiring space, it also gives us the chance to work year-round with volunteers, schools and local communities.”
It includes a community room, indoor classroom/working space, visitor area and accessible toilets as well as a volunteer room, staff office and a hothouse.
The building has been designed to be as energy efficient as possible with solar panels, an air source heat pump and insulation.
“We see so many people who come to the gardens needing access to green space, a community connection or just a friendly cuppa and a chat in the warmer months,” said Jenni.
“Those people still need the same warm welcome in the colder months, and this building will allow us to extend that welcome throughout the year.
“With the additional space, we can run many more programmes and allow thousands more people to use the gardens as a catalyst for improved individual and community wellbeing.”
The first Crowdfunding Cuppa will take place between 2pm-4pm on Thursday June 12th at Martineau Gardens, 27 Priory Road, Edgbaston B5 7UG.
Details of the crowdfunder are here: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/small-seeds-big-dreams
