HEINEKEN Ireland brought its national community initiative to Waterford City Centre, creating urban growing spaces that have a positive impact – socially, environmentally and economically. Entitled ‘Growing with Our Communities’, this initiative is "rooted” internally with HEINEKEN Ireland employees and in collaboration with Waterford based GIY (Grow it Yourself), through a bespoke GIY@Work programme called #StarGrowers. The latest ‘Star Garden’ project to be announced by HEINEKEN Ireland is the New Street Gardens Project, Waterford City.
The New Street Gardens project is about resurrecting an urban community garden in the centre of Waterford City. This garden is the seventh of ten community groups nationally which has been given access to their own GIY@Work programme, some "seed” funding, growing and landscaping expertise and HEINEKEN Ireland people power. Yesterday, over 30 people including HEINEKEN Ireland volunteers, GIY staff and New Street Gardens Project volunteers came together to breathe new life and reclaim a community garden.
Edel Tobin, founder of the New Street Gardens Project in 2014, said "We were delighted when HEINEKEN and GIY got in touch in relation to offer their support in bringing these gardens back to their former glory. The gardens have gotten a little unloved in recent times but we are now thrilled to have a team from HEINEKEN who are going to help bring these brilliant amenities back to life for the community to use again."
Karen O’ Donohoe, Head of Community Development, GIY added "Our GIY@Work programme brings food growing into the workplace in a fun but meaningful way. It, along with volunteering is a key element of employee wellbeing and CSR activities. We want the Star Garden at New Street Gardens Project to become a really inclusive space for the local community. Volunteering is an integral part of community development and ‘Growing with our Communities’ is a great example of how one group of volunteers can support another.”
For more information, follow @HeinekenIE_News and #StarGrowers.
