Funding from Kent Community Foundation allows volunteers
to transform neglected spaces into community gardens
Wilderness to Wonderland tidies, plants and maintains neglected public spaces in Margate. Funding from Kent Community Foundation has helped them to transform unused spaces into wonderful, colourful enticing areas which have brightened up the town and improved the feeling of civic pride.
Wilderness to Wonderland who create community gardens in neglected spaces in Margate applied to grant makers Kent Community Foundation for funding to purchase bulbs, plants, shrubs, grit, mulch, hand tools and high vis vests as well contributing towards the costs of insurance to recover, restore and maintain neglected wasteland including the front of Margate Station.
Their volunteers transform waste spaces across Margate including, a community space at Station Approach which has created a positive upbeat welcome for visitors and a space where residents can enjoy the fauna. Once the areas have been planted the Wilderness to Wonderland volunteer brigade of planners, planters, waterers and weeders maintain the gardens.
Rory Wiatt, Chairman, Wilderness to Wonderland, said, “Margate is one of the most socially deprived towns in Thanet. When we started this initiative just after lockdown, our passion was to transform tragic dark spaces in our home town into bright wonderful places that could be enjoyed by everyone. The grants we have received from Kent Community Foundation supplement sponsorship from local business, donations from public and our fundraising quiz nights’ and allow us to plan and make efficient and strategic purchasing decisions which make our funds go further and allow us to make a huge impact on the brilliant town of Margate.”
Natalie Smith, Director of Grants and Impact and Deputy Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation said, “Kent Community Foundation has been supporting charities and community groups across Kent for over twenty three years. We support organisations that sit within our five funding priorities: Children, Young People & Families, Vulnerable Adults, Elderly and Isolated, Employability, Skills & Enterprise and the Environment. Our support for Wilderness to Wonderland was through our ‘Micro’ route, which awards grants of up to £2,000 to charities and community groups with an annual income under £75,000.”
To contact Kent Community Foundation about funding for charities and community groups call 01303 814500, email admin@kentcf.org.uk or visit www.kentcf.org.uk/funding
About Wilderness to Wonderland
Wilderness to Wonderland is the name for a group of volunteers working to tidy up, plant up and maintain neglected public spaces in Margate.
www.facebook.com/WildernessToWonderlandMargate
About Kent Community Foundation
Experienced grant-maker Kent Community Foundation is the organisation behind the organisations and has been finding, funding, and supporting some of the smallest voluntary groups in the county for over twenty three years. In this time, it has distributed almost £60 million to support thousands of small charities and deserving causes where a modest sum of money can make a significant impact.
Kent Community Foundation is part of a UK wide accredited network of forty-seven Community Foundations who are committed to improving the lives of local people and communities, particularly the most vulnerable, isolated, and disadvantaged by matching those who want to help, with those who need the help.
Responsible for more than ninety philanthropic funds, Kent Community Foundation is unrivalled in its knowledge of local causes and assists individuals, families, and businesses who want to help, to establish and administer their own charitable funds.
Kent Community Foundation funding priorities –
- Children, Young People & Families
Supporting disadvantaged children and young people’s physical and mental health, encouraging positive choices and staying safe. - Vulnerable Adults
Helping those who may need extra care dealing with challenging issues or those at risk of social exclusion or discrimination.
3. Elderly and Isolated
Enabling elderly adults to stay well, healthy, independent and free from social isolation.
4. Employability, Skills & Enterprise
Creating opportunities to develop skills and confidence and have a positive impact in areas and groups of people with high unemployment.
5. Environment
Encouraging community action to improve and protect local spaces with support sustainable ways of living.
