Projects

The Elvaston Community Allotment – Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund

We are re-establishing a community allotment within the historic walled garden at Elvaston, a once-thriving space that has been neglected since Covid. Currently closed to the public, this hidden gem holds immense potential as a vibrant hub for community engagement and enrichment. Over the next 24 months, our project will focus on revitalising the garden’s infrastructure and fostering community involvement, making this remarkable space accessible to all.

Our Goals:

• Community Engagement and Accessibility: Open the walled garden to the public, inviting local groups and volunteers to connect with and take pride in this shared space.

• Health and Well-being: Promote physical and mental wellness through hands-on outdoor activities, providing participants with a sense of purpose and fulfilment.

• Knowledge Sharing: Create an educational platform to teach gardening skills, share knowledge about native plants, and revive traditional gardening practices, including the legacy of the garden kitchen.

• Diversity and Inclusion: Foster an inclusive environment by actively engaging with underrepresented groups in Derbyshire and Derby City. We’re working with healthcare providers and community organisations to ensure the project meets diverse needs and welcomes everyone.

The Elvaston Community Allotment is about more than gardening; it’s about creating connections, promoting well-being, and celebrating community. Join us in bringing this historic garden back to life by joining our weekly volunteer sessions and/or check out our events page for information on drop-in sessions.

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Nurturing Nature Project – Funded by The Severn Trent Community Fund

The Nurturing Nature project ran for 12 months, focusing on revitalising the Elvaston Estate Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and was successfully completed in Summer 2024. Originally established in 1989, the LNR spans 13.5 hectares of ecologically rich habitats, including veteran trees and diverse plant life. Before the project, this space had become overgrown and underutilised, with many visitors unaware of its existence. 

Over the 12 months volunteers installed a brand-new nature trail, designed with families in mind and including rubbing posts, a fairy ring and lots of points of interest and places to explore. The trail was complemented by an easy-to-use map and a new nature trail booklet, now available in our online shop and at the estate’s onsite shop. Family-friendly signage was introduced to raise awareness of the LNR, making it more accessible and inviting for visitors.

The project concluded with a successful Family Fun Day in the LNR, featuring forest school activities, ecological and conservation training, rock painting, and guided tours. This celebration brought the community together to enjoy and appreciate the revitalised space while learning about its ecological significance.

The Nurturing Nature project has left a lasting legacy, ensuring the LNR remains a valued and accessible space for all to enjoy for years to come. Our volunteers continue to work in this area to ensure that pathways remain clear and accessible. 

To help protect the wildlife please note that dogs are not permitted in the LNR. You can see our LNR guide here. We also run seasonal guided walks in the LNR. To find out more, please take a look at our Events page.

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The Growing Garden - Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund

The Growing Garden at Elvaston project provided volunteers with a unique opportunity to learn about the diverse plant life on the estate, including indigenous species, and contribute to the creation of new small gardens across the Estate. 

The Growing Garden project ran for 12 months, with funding used to purchase gardening equipment which has allowed our wonderful volunteers to continue this work.

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Water Flows – Funded by The Severn Trent Community Fund

Water Flows was an exciting 12 month project to clear the overgrown drainage sites on the Elvaston estate. Funded by Severn Trent, the team got to saw, chop, clear and dig to better understand the channels in the hope of helping to prevent flooding in the future.

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