Lovaine Community Garden is an organic growing space in the heart of North Shields town centre, a two-minute walk from the metro station, in a built-up urban area.Established by residents of Lovaine Place and Cecil St in 2010, on a previous WW2 bomb site, we aim to teach and encourage organic horticulture techniques and eco-consciousness in the local community as a means to improve the immediate environment and to promote gardening and access to nature for personal and community wellbeing.We are a much needed central urban greenspace for people who have no access to their own garden spaces, or who may be unable to access or tend a garden because of physical or financial difficulties, housing constraints, or lack of horticultural knowledge or training.
We run coffee mornings to help combat social isolation and to help strengthen and build community friendships, and gardening clubs so people can benefit from social and therapeutic horticulture and help to improve our little part of North Shields.We also host Live Music Nights and Singaround/Busker sessions so that people can enjoy music in nature within a easily accessible greenspace. Other groups and charities also use the garden for art therapy sessions, holistic therapy, mindfulness and wellbeing groups and members of the public can book the garden for their own events.

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How do I get involved in the community garden?Come and visit us at our Coffee Morning, Gardening Club, or Singaround Sundays or get in touch with us via email, telephone or through our social media page to arrange a visit. You can book a slot in the garden to meet with the garden coordinator to discuss the use of the garden for your own events or groups and get more information on which groups and services we currently provide.How do I use the garden, or become a volunteer?Anyone can use the garden, you can book a slot via email, here on our website, by phone or Facebook. Our own regular groups are open to all if you like company and want to meet the team but if you prefer to use the garden at quieter times or with a group or for an event of your own, please get in touch.If you would like to volunteer your time and skills at the garden to help improve and maintain our space and be involved in the planning and facilitating of all of our other groups and activities or run a group of your own - just get in touch to let us know what times you are available and what you are interested in helping with or if you would like to organise your own event.Can I use the garden for my charity, community group, business or workshop activity?For charity-funded groups, or sessions where participants are charged to attend, the cost of hiring the garden per session depends on:• Any additional facilities required
• The size of the group
• The activities taking place
• Any potential impact on our neighbours (noise, smoke, music, exit time)We will agree a price with you, based on your requirements, prior to your session.What times are you open for the public to drop in?Weather Permitting, we are usually open 10:00 - 15:00 on weekdays (except Thursday). Please check our timetable for our regular social groups and other events. The garden is available to book outside of our regular hours for your own use/event. Bear in mind that even within our usual hours, there may be a private group or event booked and full garden access is not always guaranteed.Will I get my own raised bed/garden patch?Our gardeners and volunteers plan and maintain the garden together, with a view to providing a colourful, vibrant but peaceful and private greenspace for others to enjoy and use as an outdoor event space. We garden organically and with an emphasis on permaculture/wildlife. The garden is quite small and there is not enough room for allocated space/beds per person. Instead, we maintain the garden together, making a yearly plan and with allocated areas for different kinds of produce, ornamental and wildlife areas.What facilities are there at the garden?There are extra tables and chairs available for groups, a large covered patio area, a firepit and a summerhouse. The garden has solar and battery power which can run most devices under 600w, and the patio and summerhouse are lit, and can be heated by use of a patio heater or the firepit.There is water on-site and hot water and crockery for tea/coffee can be provided for events/bookings. You can also bring your own food and drinks.There is a composting toilet (for wees only!). Local amenities and full toilet facilities are available within a 2 min walk from the garden.Are dogs welcome?Dogs are welcome but we have a small poultry flock in the garden who may at times be free range, and resident dogs and cats, so need time to secure these if you are dropping in with a pet - All dogs must be on a lead until tested and proven safe or introduced to our resident cats/dogs/our livestock.In the case of advanced bookings, and for events our resident animals can be removed/secured, but just be mindful of the poultry, and please don’t allow dogs to dig, chew plants or go into the flower borders/off the paths. You must clean up after your dog.Are children welcome?Children are welcome and we do run events specifically for children, with activities to keep them entertained such as our Play Street Meet events or other seasonal events such as Easter Egg hunts and open days or play days.We can provide activities/equipment to keep small children engaged such as chalks, bubbles, paddling pools, craft/art equipment or water/sand/sensory play.While we welcome children to explore the garden and encourage guided discovery/play in nature, we advise parents to be aware that the garden has uneven surfaces, and tender plants and crops, as well as livestock. As such, we ask that children are supervised at all times and to discourage children from running, climbing trees, or chasing livestock, that they are mindful of the plants/flowers/produce and to stay on the paths/main areas and not climb on border edging or into flower beds/borders.Can I harvest produce?We prefer that planting and harvesting crops, flowers and produce is done with guidance or permission from the Garden Co-Ordinators. We usually post on social media when various produce is available, fruit for example, so that people can come and pick their own when it is ready and at its peak production. Any excess produce is available to members, or to visitors to take for a small donation.