Public support is needed to get funding to transform an area of wasteland in Seaforth into a beautiful community garden.
Emmaus Merseyside has been shortlisted for the Aviva Community Fund to create a new community garden in School Lane in the area.
The charity provides a home, support, training and meaningful work for up to 28 people who have experienced homelessness, pharmacy enabling them to rebuild their lives and move on to independent living.
In order for the project to progress to the next stage, the project must secure votes from the public.
The homelessness charity plans to transform the land in order to create a ‘Participation Garden’ which will provide training and opportunities for volunteers and homeless people to work with the local community, groups and schools.
The aim is to integrate homeless people into the community, enabling them to make a positive contribution and help change negative perceptions of homeless people.
Nigel Mellor, Chair of Emmaus Merseyside, said: “We really need people from Seaforth, Bootle and the wider area of Merseyside to get behind us and vote for the project before the deadline of November 18.
“The Participation Garden will be developed as a pleasant public open space with areas for growing fruit vegetables flowers and lots more.
“The project will create an attractive useful space out of what is now an ugly and neglected area of waste land.
“Horticultural therapy is one of the oldest of the healing therapies and uses the relationship between people and the natural environment to affect human wellness.
“The opportunity to get involved in gardening and growing produce through the Emmaus Merseyside Participation Garden will be really enjoyable for everyone involved.”
To vote for The Participation Garden visit: https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/voting/project/view/16-2837
To find out more or support Emmaus Merseyside, head to www.emmaus.org.uk/merseyside