A bit about Northlands Park Youth Council

Northlands Park Youth Council – Regular attendance by at least 15 young people supported by Outreach Workers to encourage involvement in the Pathfinder programme. The Youth Council have undertaken projects such as designing and spraying an urban art wall, holding a fishing competition and have recently worked with older people to plant flowers in their Housing Complex

A Youth Council Achievement

Creating a "Mediterranean" garden in Basildon with Northlands Park Youth Council

A new garden has been created in Northlands Park in Basildon, overlooking the lakes.
Working with Basildon Council, Groundwork appointed garden designer Bella D'Arcy - of Gardens for People - to work with Northlands Park Youth Council, to design and plant a drought-resistant Mediterranean garden. The garden includes seating and full access for people with disabilities including those in wheelchairs. Basildon Council also provided financial support and a great deal of staff time.The project proved to be an exciting and informative experience for all those involved; not only is the garden an asset to the park but also young people had the chance to work with a professional on a design for use by everyone. In particular they considered how older people and people with disabilities can use the garden.Twenty-eight young volunteers and four adult volunteers took part enthusiastically in the planting day, supported by Basildon Council youth workers, parks staff and Community Development Officer Heather Wood. There was also some special help from Christine Walkden, who has been contracted for a second series of "Christine's' Garden" after the success of the first series on BBC over Christmas. Christine also opened the garden in early June, accompanied by Councillor Geoffrey Buckenham.Christine told the young people: "this is your garden - you made it. Every time you walk past it you can feel proud of a job well done and of your contribution to your community"Councillor Anthony Hedley, Basildon Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, said "with the region in the grip of a hosepipe ban, we wanted to create a garden that could survive on small amounts of water without losing any of its natural beauty. A Mediterranean-style garden is attractive and easy to maintain, and will bring a continental feel to Northlands Park".