Oughton Court community garden brings residents together with support from the Community Benefit Fund
Residents at Oughton Court on the Westmill estate in Hitchin are helping to care for and improve their shared outdoor space, following funding awarded through the first round of our Community Benefit Fund.
What is the Community Benefit Fund?
The fund is part of our agreement with North Herts Council, which reinvests money from Right to Buy sales directly back into communities. It supports projects designed by residents, for residents, helping to bring people together, improve wellbeing and community safety, and make neighbourhoods better places to live.
The Oughton Court community garden was one of seven successful projects to receive funding.
The garden sits within the courtyard shared by Oughton Court and Cornmill House, providing shared outdoor space for residents across 50 flats and the wider development. With support from the fund, resident Heidi has been able to buy essential gardening tools and equipment to help maintain the planting areas and keep the space looking its best.
In the video below, Steve Hazelwood, Engagement Partner, visits Heidi at Oughton Court to hear more about the project and the difference the garden is already making to the community.
As a member of the Westmill Resident Steering Group, Heidi heard about the Community Benefit Fund and realised it could be an opportunity to improve the shared outdoor space for local residents.
Heidi said: “I heard through the regeneration project that there was a grant available and thought it would be a great opportunity to look after our shared garden.
“It’s been really good fun getting started. Living in a flat, I didn’t have any gardening tools, so the funding meant I could buy everything I needed. Once I got started, it just took off.”
Heidi hopes the project will encourage residents to spend more time outdoors, enjoy the shared space and get to know their neighbours.
Get involved
If you have an idea that could make your community a better place to live, or you’d like to get involved in the Oughton Court garden, we’d love to hear from you.
You can contact our Engagement team at engagement@settlegroup.org.uk
Funding from the second round of the Settle Community Benefit Fund has now been allocated, and we’ll be sharing details of the successful projects soon.
