Sustainable, Community-led Wildlife Pond for MHWB.

Aim: To create an eco-sustainable, community centred wildlife pond and habitat that supports and enhances people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Help us develop 'The Jubilee Pond' at Rydens Road Allotment for our wildlife, community, and wellbeing.

The Jubilee Pond is a community inspired project led by the Walton Allotment Association with a fundamental goal to create a wildlife pond and habitat that supports and enhances mental health and wellness.

The sustainable, eco-friendly wildlife pond looks to encourage biodiversity in the area for numerous endangered animals such as hedgehogs, newts, frogs, bees, damselflies, nesting birds, small mammals, and stag beetles (to name but a few!). The project aims to be carbon negative with the planting of indigenous trees to lock in CO2, resources to be sourced sustainably and from recycled materials, and the use of local businesses and craftsmanship to limit the carbon footprint.

The project will not only look to unite the community in one shared common goal but also give back for years and generations to come. Establishing itself as a calm and tranquil space for the whole community to sit, reflect and reconnect to nature across the seasons. It will also offer a sensory escape through scent, sight, sound and touch aiding cognitive, behavioral, and emotional wellbeing. 

What are the benefits of the project?

The project will deliver sustainable, environmental, learning, mental and physical health, and wellbeing benefits to our ecosystem and community.

• 100% organic with no use of pesticides
• Aquatic plants will be developing an eco-balance will sustain the wildlife.
• Newly formed habitats will offer shelter from seasonal weather and predators. From log piles built to house hedgehogs to a dead hedge for small bugs and insects to a native wildflower bank for pollinators.
• The space is accessible for all at any time of the day or night, when they need it most, creating a safe, comforting atmosphere for everyone to rest and heal.
• Enhancing individual and group wellbeing
• Lower blood pressure and overwhelming sense of calm (proven by studies)
• And more!

Where are we at so far?

We're pleased to say Stage One of the project is complete! The team have been working hard throughout the summer (and the heatwave!) to dig the shell of the pond and we're now ready to lay the pond lining. It's been no small task, and we'd like to take the time to say a big thank you to the Allotment Team and the Give Back Team who helped us get this far!

But the hard work isn't finished... we've got big plans moving forwards with the project now the pond is in place and this is where you can get involved! Through your donations you'll be helping to turn this shell into a colourful, eco-sustainable habitat for our wildlife and serene place to escape for the community. 

Your donations will go towards things like:

• Pond lining and aquatic soil
• Turf, bark and sand
• Surrounding trees, plants and a bank of wildflowers
• Wood to build shelters (hog houses, bird boxes, shelters, bat boxes etc.)
• Wooden shelter for the community to visit in all seasons
• Pond plants and pots
• Bird feeders and tables
• Jubilee pond sign
• And the list continues!

Additionally, if you'd like to donate time or materials to the project please get in touch with the team: [email protected]

Who is involved?

This is a fully inclusive project providing a safe, collaborative and lasting environment to build something as one community. 

Welcoming local contributions from schools, businesses, charities, and residents, in addition to providing a space for community service ordered groups. The project looks to involve younger age groups such as The Scouts Association and The Prince's Trust Team Program for Young People to reach and engage the younger generations no matter their background, teaching new skills and incorporating them into the wider community. 

The project is focused on working with local environmental groups to help reduce carbon emissions via indigenous trees, recycling local cut down trees, wood chips and palates to build dead hedges and bug hotels. There will be no use of plastics or pesticides, instead replaced with all natural, recyclable, alternative materials for items such as the pond lining that are recycled from tires and sheep's wool.

Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing

We are supporting individuals within the community who suffer with the likes of anxiety, depression, panic attacks, PTSD, recreational drugs, alcohol and addiction, loneliness, postnatal depression, stress and more. The space is accessible for all at any time of the day or night, when they need it most, creating a safe, comforting atmosphere for everyone to rest and heal.

Who we are?

Walton Allotment Association CIO is a local charity (Charity Number 1196859) part to the Walton Charity family in England. We aim to make a difference. To make a positive impact on the lives of local people, recognising the importance of our long-standing position in the community and have carefully considered our ethical position and the social impact of our activities. 

We are have over 400 plots at four allotment sites around Walton and Hersham. They are open to anyone who lives locally and wants to grow their own fruit, vegetables and flowers. Our Community Allotment provides opportunities for people who feel isolated or face barriers because of mental or physical health to join in regular activities and learn new skills.

Join us in the next stage of the project and help us give something back to nature and the community.