We are pleased to announce that Moniaive Initiative has been granted £19,950 from the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund, towards the costs of our new 2 year project: Moniaive Growing Together, commencing in April 2026.

‘Moniaive Growing Together’ will see us use everything we’ve already learned through our existing Community Garden, to deliver a new growing project on a larger site. Moniaive Growing Together aims to deliver a polytunnel, raised beds, paths, and a shared learning area, in a new location that has room to grow. The polytunnel will enable year-round growing, propagation, and group activities, extending the garden’s reach beyond the summer months. It will host climate-smart gardening workshops, teaching people how to grow, preserve and use food in a changing climate. We will develop composting, rainwater harvesting, permaculture and biodiversity planting.

We want our young adults (16-25 years) to develop new, transferable skills during the design and construction phases of our new Moniaive Growing Together project. Whilst we are getting the project up and running, we will offer ‘Food Club’ sessions, supporting youngsters to learn about food growing and healthy eating. We will also be giving our youth volunteers opportunities to develop skills in podcasts, radio and film making, to enable them to report back to the community as the project progresses.

We are currently investigating a number of site options, and will share more details soon. We also need to fundraise towards te polytunnel and other equipment we will need. If you would like to join this exciting new project, we’d love to hear from you! Whether you are a seasoned gardener looking to share a lifetime of growing experience, or a complete novice keen to learn how to grow your own food, there will be space for everyone.  

What will happen to our existing community garden, once the new one is up and running?  This has proven such a valuable space, whether for sitting quietly or for socialising at community BBQs and events.  We want it to stay that way.  Our volunteers aim to maintain the Picnic Site Garden as a peaceful Sensory Herb Garden.  Featuring fragrant herbs, and pollinator-friendly, textured planting, this area will offer quiet seating and reflection spaces, supporting mental health and nature connection. QR-coded signs will link to seasonal stories and plant care tips, co-created by residents and our youth participants.

We look forward to sharing more details with you in the coming weeks.