Written by:
Guest Author
In this piece, Newcastle University student Louis Cook explores the importance of community gardens and considers the vital role they play in creating spaces for connection across generations within communities.
Deep Roots: How Community Gardening Can Create Intergenerational Connections
Gardening and growing food has always been a popular pass-time around the world, with ecological, mental health and community-building benefits. The UK has a rich tradition of collective gardening dating back to the commons of the Middle Ages, where large swaths of land would be shared by the public. Following the Inclosure Acts of the 18th century this resource was lost as public land was divided and handed to landowners for other uses.
The public’s desire for shared, interactive green space never disappeared. As common land was being destroyed smaller plots in cities were created, allowing people in newly industrialised cities a space to grow food and build community around a common purpose. Since then, allotments and community gardens have remained an important social lifeline- combating isolation, depression and even war. By 1945, there were over 1.75 million allotments and collective gardens in the UK, many of which continue to be used in the 21st Century.
Photo: IWM
Many allotment holders speak of strong emotional connections to their plots, as spaces full of years of trial, error and experimentation. Such spaces have a particular importance for inter-generational communities. Gardening can be an active, detailed, and time-consuming endeavour yet still accessible to people of many different abilities. Collective gardens and allotments let neighbours interact, share skills and build connections. At a time when many feel less connected to those around them, community gardens are an important bastion of interaction.
Community gardens present a rare opportunity for people of varying ages to come together around a shared purpose. They can be established on areas of land that are otherwise unusable, such as on the banks of a railway line or plots of land too small to build houses on. Their effective use of space means they can appear in highly populated areas that are easy to reach for many residents.
Over the past few weeks, I have visited various gardens and allotments in my local area, speaking with volunteers about the role these spaces play for them and their communities. What stood out, as well as the gardening itself, is how these places can bring together people of all ages, skills and backgrounds. From teaching children about the origin of their food to connecting them with their area’s decades of local history, community gardens have always been a fertile ground for intergenerational exchange. They continue to play this role in new and diverse ways today.
Educational Value and Cultural Connections
For many younger members of the community, gardens provide an opportunity to connect with nature and better understanding where their food comes from. Many community-led gardens in urban areas act as ‘growing kitchens’. In one community centre, an unused car park has been transformed into an ‘edible yard’ where children can grow fruit, vegetables and herbs while learning practical skills in a hands-on environment. Other gardens leave part of their land wild and invite local children to attend ‘forest schools’ which gets them out the classroom and into a unique and healthy environment.
In an estate in North London a growing kitchen focusses on food native to Africa and the Caribbean, giving children with multicultural backgrounds the chance to learn about their heritage through cooking and nature. Such spaces become cultural hubs that pass on history through traditions, recipes and growing techniques. They give diaspora communities a space to preserve knowledge and share experiences through generations. Community gardens have the ability to reflect and strengthen the identities of the people they serve.
Intergenerational Bonds
Photos: Louis Cook.
Community gardens create a space for older members of the community to socialise with their neighbours, passing down expertise, local knowledge and life stories. While visiting Olden Community Garden in North London, I spoke to a member called Caroline about their lunch hour tradition, where all the volunteers sit and eat, sharing stories and talking about their area. The community clearly values this space, with many members of the garden attending since its creation in the mid 1980s. Community gardens foster a sense of belonging that’s rarely seen elsewhere. Coming together around a joint project creates a sense of teamwork and social responsibility where older volunteers become local role models with valuable expertise and insights.
Collective projects can also bring together members of the public. They present a low-stakes opportunity for people to invest their time and work with people they would otherwise not cross paths with. One volunteer, Hannah, was showing me one of their most recent projects: scaffolding for their squash plant. It was a joint effort between younger volunteers and a retired gardener. This act of co-creation exemplifies the value of community gardens and the philosophy behind inter-generational spaces- mutual respect, practical collaboration and shared pride.
Looking Ahead
My experience with community gardens has shown me that dedicated spaces where people of varying ages can unite around a shared purpose are still possible. However, with the UK as one of the world’s most age-segregated countries, different generations are often living and socialising in separate bubbles. Following this trajectory risks our society losing not only valuable, practical skills but also the sense of belonging and resilience that creates strong communities.
Allotments and communities are facing mounting pressure as councils encroach on this land to meet housing targets. While housing is essential, we cannot neglect spaces that encourage connection, collaboration and care. By protecting projects such as community gardens and allotments, we are investing in people. Dedicated community spaces such as gardens help bridge the generational divide, relieve social isolation and improve community wellbeing. The seeds of a more connected, intergenerational society already exist, what remains is our duty to protect and nurture its growth.
About the Author
Louis Cook is a third year student of Architecture and Planning at Newcastle University. He is interested in citizenship, local identity and community design. His dissertation is focussing on the convergence of space and belonging, focussing on civic pride in urban areas in the North East.