We're still collecting donations
On the 10th July 2024 we'd raised £16,168 with 116 supporters in 42 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
Let's Grow Together: 10 Years of Paradise Co-Op
by [email protected] in London, England, United Kingdom
Total raised £16,298
raised so far+ est. £786.00
119
supportersHelp us celebrate 10 years by raising £10,000 to fund our community programmes, education workshops, and environmental efforts!
by [email protected] in London, England, United Kingdom
New stretch target
Why Are We Raising Our Target?
Reaching £15,000 will allow us to expand and enhance our community-driven initiatives, ensuring we can continue to grow and thrive for the next decade. Here’s how your donations can make a difference:
- £150 will allow us to run one Wellbeing with Nature workshop, supporting 20 disadvantaged pupils from local primary schools to improve their wellbeing.
- £250 will contribute to new gardening tools and equipment, maximising sustainable food production as part of our Community Food Initiative.
- £500 will pay for a solar panel, enabling us to recharge electric tools and provide tea and coffee for our 1000 yearly volunteers.
- £1,000 will fund a year’s worth of community meals for programme participants experiencing loneliness, isolation, depression, and similar issues.
Recent Successes and Upcoming Opportunities
In the past few weeks, we’ve hosted successful community events that brought families together for citizen-science projects, arts activities, and community-building initiatives. Our Half-Term children’s activities and Open Evening have been wonderful occasions to connect and share our mission with both long-time supporters and new friends.
Celebrate with Us!
We’re also excited to remind you about our upcoming Paradise Festival on July 7th, from 11 AM to 3 PM. This will be a fantastic day filled with music, food, and activities for all. Book your tickets now and join us in celebrating our community’s achievements.
We are thrilled to announce an exciting milestone in our journey toward sustainability and community empowerment: Paradise Cooperative's 10-Year Anniversary Crowdfunding Campaign!
Our Story
Founded in 2014, Paradise Cooperative has blossomed from a humble community garden into a beacon of urban sustainability and environmental stewardship in the heart of our city. Over the past decade, our community of volunteers and supporters have worked tirelessly to transform an abandoned piece of wasteland into a vibrant communal growing space. We exist to enrich the lives of local residents, fostering connections with nature and cultivating a vibrant community centred around sustainable living.
We welcome thousands of local residents to the garden each year through a range of programmes designed to deliver our vision of a healthy, sustainable and connected community. Our current programme highlights include:
- Community Food Initiative - using sustainable methods, we grow food with and for our local community. All of our produce is donated to nearby social enterprises, such as Home Community Cafe and the Well Kneaded Foundation.
- Mindful Growing - our volunteer sessions provide a range of opportunities for local residents to grow together. This includes volunteer sessions designed to combat social isolation and enhance wellbeing.
- Wellbeing with Nature - we run a unique outdoor learning programme, including free nature-focused workshops for young people in our community who have reduced opportunities to access nature.
- Environmental Education - free opportunities to learn about environmental conservation and sustainable urban growing are built into our volunteer opportunities, education programmes and community events.
Our Vision
As we celebrate a decade of growth and impact, we are more committed than ever to building a greener, more resilient future for generations to come. Our vision for the next 10 years includes:
- Expanding our Community Initiatives - increasing access to our garden, providing more opportunities for our community to join us for nature-focused volunteering and education opportunities and inspiring action for nature.
- Enhancing our Facilities - as we grow, we must ensure our garden meets the needs of our community while enhancing space for nature and reducing our impact. Small changes such as solar panels, accessible toilets, upgrades to community gathering spaces and targeted habitat creation will make a big difference.
- Reaching New Audiences - nature is not equally accessible to all. We believe it should be. We will develop our outreach work to ensure we reach those who would benefit most from opportunities to connect with nature.
How You Can Help
We invite you to join us on this exciting journey by supporting our 10-Year Anniversary Crowdfunding Campaign. Our goal is to raise £10,000 to kickstart our next 10 years. This vital funding will support our community programmes, educational workshops, environmental conservation efforts and accessibility improvements. Thanks to Aviva Match Funding, all first-time donations will be matched up to £250, doubling the impact of your generosity!
Get Involved
- Donate - simply donate or grab one of our carefully curated rewards before they're gone. We can't continue to do what we do without your support. By donating through our Crowdfunder, your impact will be doubled.
- Spread the Word - share our crowdfunding campaign on social media and encourage your friends, family and neighbours to donate.
- Join an Upcoming Event - experience the magic of Paradise Cooperative firsthand. Learn more about our programmes, develop new skills, meet new people and share your ideas to help us shape the future of our community initiatives.
Key Events
Half-Term Children's Activities: May 31st, Dive into an action-packed half-term adventure at Paradise Cooperative! Explore our biodiverse garden and enjoy nature-focused activities for the whole family. Free event with donation opportunities.
Open Evening and Garden Tour: June 6th, Celebrate our community impact with an evening of guided garden tours, informative presentations, and engaging discussions. Learn about our achievements and future plans while connecting with fellow supporters.
Workshop Series Launch: June 9th, Kick off our summer workshop series with "Grow Your Own Workshop: Getting Started." Learn essential gardening skills and contribute to our crowdfunding efforts by purchasing a ticket. More workshops on wildflowers, propagation, and more coming soon! CLICK HERE FOR BOOKINGS.
Paradise Festival: July 7th, Celebrate Paradise Cooperative's 10th Anniversary and the conclusion of our 6-week crowdfunding campaign! Enjoy delicious food, live music, and engaging activities for all ages. A special event to connect with fellow supporters and celebrate a decade of community growth.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
Thank you for being an essential part of the Paradise Cooperative community. Your support and dedication inspire us every day as we work toward a greener, more sustainable future for all.
Remember, with Aviva Match Funding, your donation can go twice as far!
Rewards
This project offered rewards
£30 or more
Paradise Cooperative Vegetable Box
Enjoy a box of fresh, organic vegetables and herbs straight from our garden. Each box is packed with a variety of seasonal produce grown using sustainable methods. Collect August and September.
£10 or more
Paradise Edible Flowers: Seed Packets
Bring a bit of Paradise to your garden! Each packet contains edible flower seeds harvested from our community garden, complete with growing instructions and plant guide. Available from August/September.
£10 or more
Bee Bombs for Pollinator Paradise
Create a haven for bees with our Bee Bombs. These seed bombs contain a mix of wildflower seeds that are perfect for attracting and supporting pollinators in your garden.
£15 or more
Blissful Bath Salts from Paradise Garden
Relax and unwind with our handmade bath salts, infused with herbs harvested from our garden. Perfect for a soothing soak and a touch of nature’s tranquillity in your bath.
£20 or more
Nature Connection Craft Kit
Engage with nature through creativity! Each kit includes materials and instructions to create a nature inspired craft (choose from DIY seed bomb kit, summer seed sowing or natural treasure bottles) making it a perfect gift for budding crafters and nature lovers.
£25 or more
Trio of Container Herbs & Vegetables
Enjoy fresh herbs and vegetables right at your doorstep. This set of three container plants, ready for collection and planting from autumn, through to Spring 2025. They are perfect for urban gardeners! Cultivated by our community, and grown in peat-free soil using re-purposed pots.
£25 or more
Trio of Pollinator Plants
Enhance your garden’s biodiversity with three plants specifically chosen to attract and support pollinators. Available for collection and planting in autumn. Cultivated by our community, and grown in peat-free soil using re-purposed pots.
£25 or more
Workshop Experience
Join one of our workshops and learn more about sustainable urban gardening, biodiversity and more - browse available workshops here https://tr.ee/Cmskbd_4af
For booking please follow these steps:
1. Pay for your workshop voucher via this page.
2. Complete this form to book your place on a specific workshop https://forms.office.com/e/vG7DsyGx42
3. Any questions email [email protected]
£40 or more
Herbal Gift Box
Delight in a selection of herbal products made from garden-grown herbs. Each box includes teas, cooking herbs, infused bath salts and more, offering a touch of natural wellness. All herbs grown by our community of volunteers.
£250 or more
Kids Party at the Garden (Up to 15 Children)
Host an unforgettable birthday party in our beautiful garden for children age 4-11. Includes activities tailored to the age and interests of the group (e.g. fire building, den making, treasure hunts, nature inspired arts and crafts) and campfire snacks for up to 15 children. Please check availability first. Additional children (up to a maximum of 30) can be accommodated on request at an additional cost per child.
£250 or more
Feature on Our Community Mural
We would be delighted to add your name or company logo to our celebratory 10-year community mural! This will be created throughout the autumn and placed at the entrance of our garden, greeting the thousands of Wandsworth residents who visit us each and every year.
£450 or more
Corporate Volunteer Experience (Up to 10 People)
Boost team morale and give back to the community with a corporate volunteer day at Paradise Cooperative. Suitable for up to 10 participants.
£75 or more
Bee Experience for Two plus Bee Bombs
Spend an enjoyable hour with the beekeeper at Paradise to learn more about bees and our approach to sustainable beekeeping. Have your questions answered and help with some beekeeping tasks in and around the hive. The hive will be opened so you can meet the colony and if you're lucky, you might even spot the Queen Bee. You’ll be kitted out with a beekeeping suit and gloves for the session.
£100 or more
Garden Consultation with Vicki Cooke
Get expert advice for your garden or allotment from Vicki, our Head of Biodiversity and Food Growing. Available within a 1.5-mile radius of Paradise Cooperative. Vicki has a wealth of practical knowledge from two decades as an organic gardener - from managing the walled kitchen garden at Hampton Court Palace, to vegetable seed production at Garden Organic.