Out and About with Neandra: Our Chief reporter on events that reflect culture, history and heritage in Newham.

By Neandra Etienne

Local residents Natasha, Hannah and gardener Penny got together to start the Rainbow Community Garden in 2020. The name came about because a community building called Rainbow Hut was once located on the land now used by their community garden. Rainbow Hut offered pre-school childcare, breakfast club, after school care and changing rooms for sport. The building was taken down many years ago and the space was left unused and abandoned.

Hannah Duthie told Newham Voices: “It was obvious right from the start that it was the Rainbow Garden.”

The team successfully applied for funding from the People, Powered, Places East Ham programme. Hannah found the application process “accessible and well supported. It was clearly explained and many additional clinics were put on to offer time to help residents if needed. A big thank you for making the process so easy to access for sure!”

The funding will enable the team to renew the crumbling concrete surface allowing for the space to be used for events and activities. They include more workshops, youth meet up sessions, sports and mini festivals throughout the year.

The Rainbow Garden offers drop in family gardening on Sundays from 10-2pm and they have their own WhatsApp group.

Hannah said: “The community focus to our garden means we are much more than a garden. We are hoping to root a strong culture of families and residents who want to spend time together in a space that was abandoned and full of broken glass and rubbish. Something beautiful is growing in this area and I can’t wait to see the future of Rainbow Community Garden.”

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