Let’s Grow
Growing food, community and connection
The Let’s Grow theme supports residents, schools, community groups and partners to grow food, share knowledge and reconnect with nature across South Tyneside. From allotments and community gardens to school growing clubs and park-based projects, these initiatives improve wellbeing, strengthen community connections and help people understand where food comes from. By encouraging participation, biodiversity and climate awareness, Let’s Grow is helping build healthier neighbourhoods and a resilient, community-led good food movement rooted in sustainability and pride in place.
NECA
NECA Community Garden
Growing food, connection and resilience in South Shields.
NECA Community Garden (also known as Greenhope Oasis) is a vibrant community growing space in South Shields that brings people together to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers, learn new skills and build community spirit. Managed by local volunteers with support from NECA (a regional charity), the garden provides a welcoming, safe place for residents of all ages to take part in gardening activities, relax, meet people and connect with nature.
The garden’s work goes well beyond planting seeds, it plays an active role in improving local resilience and tackling food insecurity by growing produce that is shared with the community, including low-cost or free fruit and vegetables for those most in need. Through its activities and events, the garden encourages sustainable living, healthy eating and practical growing skills among volunteers and visitors alike.
Across the year, NECA Community Garden hosts a wide range of community activities, from holiday programmes and gardening sessions to nature-focused events and opportunities to care for the land and wildlife. Its community-centred approach has been recognised with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, one of the highest honours for local volunteer groups in the UK.
Whether you’re interested in learning how to grow your own food, volunteering outdoors, or simply enjoying a green space with neighbours, NECA Community Garden is a place to learn, connect and grow together.
Porlock Gardens
Porlock Gardens
Growing food, skills and community in Low Simonside.
Porlock Gardens is a thriving community growing space managed by Bilton Hall Community Trust in Jarrow, where food growing, learning and community come together. At the heart of Porlock Gardens is a belief that growing food can support health, wellbeing and connection – nurturing people as much as plants.
The gardens offer space for residents to get hands on with vegetable beds, herb plots and seasonal planting, while also hosting a wide range of activities such as gardening workshops, seed swaps, beekeeping days and seasonal events that bring the wider community together. These sessions help people develop practical growing skills, understand where food comes from, and enjoy spending time outdoors in a friendly, supportive environment.
Porlock Gardens also works with local partners and volunteers to create opportunities for intergenerational learning, health and wellbeing activities and creative connections to nature, showing how growing food isn’t just about plants, but about people and place.
Whether you’re new to gardening or experienced with a trowel in hand, the gardens offer a welcoming space to learn, share and grow together.
Souter Lighthouse Allotments
Souter Lighthouse Allotments
Grow, connect and enjoy coastal views in the fresh air.
Souter Lighthouse Allotments is a community-focused growing project located beside the iconic Souter Lighthouse on the South Tyneside coast — part of the stunning National Trust site that combines heritage, nature and community activity.
Run in partnership with ACTS (Age Concern Tyneside South), Explore SeaScapes and supported by the National Trust, the allotment plots offer a welcoming space for residents to grow vegetables, flowers and herbs while spending time outdoors in a beautiful coastal setting. The project encourages people of all ages and abilities to get their hands dirty, learn practical growing skills and enjoy the physical and mental wellbeing benefits that come from working with soil and plants.
One of the key aims of the Souter Lighthouse Allotments project is to help people come together, enjoy fresh air, grow their own produce, and build connections with others – especially for those who may feel isolated or have limited opportunities to get outside. The plots are informal and welcoming: anyone with an interest in growing, gardening or simply being part of a community space is encouraged to get involved or learn more.
With striking views of the coast and plenty of room to explore gardening at your own pace, the allotments are more than a growing space – they’re a place to learn, relax and connect with food, nature and neighbours.
Interested in getting involved or learning more?
📞 Call 0191 456 6903!
Carbon Reduction & Sustainability Team – Fruit Tree Planting
Free Fruit Trees– South Tyneside Council
Supporting young growers, climate action and greener schools.
The Carbon Reduction & Sustainability Team at South Tyneside Council is helping young people and schools make a lasting connection between food growing, the environment and resilience. As part of the Council’s wider Sustainable South Tyneside strategy – which embeds climate action across policy, education and community life, the team has worked with schools borough‑wide to deliver free fruit trees to support outdoor learning, food growing and engagement with nature.
In 2022/23, the team provided free fruit trees to 25 schools, building on an earlier initiative where almost every school in the borough was offered fruit trees to plant on their grounds. These trees boost biodiversity, create new learning opportunities and help pupils explore where food comes from… from blossom to harvest, as part of broader lessons on climate, nature and sustainability.
By helping schools grow fruit trees and integrate nature into their outdoor spaces, the Carbon Reduction & Sustainability Team is connecting children with food, the environment and climate action. These growing opportunities support healthier school grounds, enrich science and wellbeing activities, and anchor environmental learning in hands‑on experience.
This work sits alongside the Council’s broader climate commitments, including tree planting, education toolkits for sustainability and support for food growing spaces – all helping to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards in South Tyneside.
South Tyneside Council – Allotments Team
South Tyneside Council – Allotments Team
Supporting local food growing by helping residents find and manage allotment plots.
South Tyneside Council’s Allotments Team plays a vital role in connecting residents with land and opportunities to grow their own food, improve wellbeing, and strengthen community connections across the borough.
The Council manages a network of allotment sites across South Shields, Hebburn, Jarrow and surrounding areas, providing space for residents to grow vegetables, fruits and flowers while enjoying the benefits of outdoor activity. Residents can explore a map of local sites, each offering plots that support food growing and community gardening opportunities.
Due to high demand for allotments, many sites operate waiting lists, and prospective growers are encouraged to register their interest to be contacted when a plot becomes available. Waiting times can vary by site and historically have ranged up to four to eight years, depending on availability.
The Allotments Team provides essential information and support for residents interested in joining a site or managing their plot successfully, from how to apply and what to expect, to contact details for individual plots and practical guidance for new growers.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a complete beginner interested in growing your own food, the Council’s allotment service is an important gateway to land, community and the joys of food growing in South Tyneside.
Interested in an allotment or want more details?
➡ Visit the Council allotments page to explore sites, find contact information and join the waiting list.
Allotments – South Tyneside Council www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/1529/
Foraging Walks & Growing
Big Local Jarrow – Foraging, Growing & Community Food Experiences
Connecting people with food, nature and each other in Central Jarrow.
Big Local Jarrow is a resident‑led community organisation in Central Jarrow working to build stronger connections, skills and opportunities for people across the area. As part of its wide-ranging activities, Big Local supports growing, foraging and food‑related experiences that bring people outdoors, help them engage with the natural world and learn new ways of preparing and enjoying food.
Among the popular activities offered are foraging walks, where locals explore nearby green spaces with experienced guides to identify edible wild plants, learn about seasonal food sources and discover how foraged ingredients can be used in simple, flavourful cooking. These walks have become a celebrated part of the Big Local programme, inviting participants to reconnect with the land, broaden their food knowledge and enjoy healthy outdoor activity together.
Alongside foraging, Big Local Jarrow contributes to community growing and gardening through partnerships with local projects and volunteer sessions designed to enrich neighbourhood green spaces. By supporting practical, hands‑on activities — from planting and tending beds to harvesting and sharing produce — the organisation nurtures a sense of food citizenship and local stewardship of nature.
Big Local’s approach is grassroots and inclusive, celebrating the diversity of local growing initiatives and inviting residents of all ages to get involved, whether that’s through a walk that sparks new curiosity about wild foods or a seed planted that grows into shared harvest.
North Marine Park Community Garden
A peaceful growing space at the heart of a historic park.
Nestled within North Marine Park in South Shields, the community garden offers a welcoming outdoor space where people can connect with nature, enjoy gardening activities and share in the simple joys of growing together. The garden forms part of the green heart of the iconic North Marine Park — a historic and scenic public park with woodland paths, open lawns and panoramic views of the harbour and coast.
Managed with the support of Friends of North & South Marine Park, this community growing space brings colour, wildlife and a sense of shared purpose to local residents. Volunteers and visitors often spend time tending flowers, plants and small growing plots, helping to enhance biodiversity, build community connections and create a welcoming environment for all ages to enjoy.
The community garden is not just about plants ,it’s a place where families, neighbours and local groups come together for gardening sessions, seasonal activities and outdoor wellbeing time, all within a beautiful park setting. Its presence highlights how food growing and community engagement can flourish in everyday public spaces, turning a historic park into a living classroom for nature, growing and good food citizenship.
Visitors to North Marine Park, whether for a walk, picnic or play in the park’s wider facilities, often stop by the garden to see what’s growing and learn more about local green initiatives.
Pigsty Avenue Allotments (Harrison Fields)
AKA Jarrow Allotments – Growing food, friendships and wellbeing in Jarrow.
Pig Sty Avenue Allotments is a welcoming community allotment site in Jarrow where people come together to grow vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers – and where practical gardening meets community connection. The site offers space for residents to cultivate their own plots and, importantly, has developed areas that support inclusive participation, accessibility and wellbeing.
Managed locally with a strong volunteer spirit and supported by community partners such as Age Concern Tyneside South, Pig Sty Avenue provides opportunities for people of all abilities to get their hands dirty, learn new skills and enjoy the many benefits growing food brings, from physical activity and fresh air to fresh, healthy produce and social connection.
The site includes fully accessible raised beds and special initiatives designed to welcome people who may find traditional gardening challenging, including those living with dementia or mobility limitations. These features help make gardening more inclusive and ensure that everyone can experience the rewards of growing. In addition, a “free table” of vegetables allows plot holders and visitors to share surplus produce with the wider community — reducing food waste and strengthening neighbourly support.
Allotment activities such as light gardening sessions, informal social meet-ups and outdoor volunteering encourage people to learn from one another and build relationships. Whether someone is an experienced gardener or just curious to try something new, Pig Sty Avenue is a space where growing becomes a way to connect with food, nature and others.
Interested in joining or finding out more?
- 01914566903
- Community.development@ac-ts.org.uk
WHiST Garden
confidence, wellbeing and community through herbs and horticulture.
Women’s Health in South Tyneside (WHiST) is a local charity supporting women’s health, wellbeing and independence through counselling, peer support, group learning and community activities.
At the heart of WHiST’s work is the Herb Garden, offering a hands-on way to engage with nature, learn practical growing skills and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of time outdoors. Volunteers help plant, tend and nurture herbs, creating a welcoming space to learn, connect and grow food-related plants.
The Herb Garden supports WHiST’s wider goals of improving health, building confidence and strengthening social connections. Gardening activities encourage physical activity, mindfulness and community engagement. They also complement WHiST’s other food-focused programmes, including community cooking sessions, healthy eating support and the Food Fair project, showing how food, nature and wellbeing are deeply connected.
Whether you’re curious about growing herbs, seeking a wellbeing activity, or wanting to meet people in a supportive setting, WHiST’s Herb Garden offers a Women Only inclusive space to learn, grow and flourish.
West Boldon Lodge – Groundwork
Connecting people, nature and wellbeing through outdoor learning.
West Boldon Lodge is a Groundwork South and North Tyneside Environmental Education Centre and community green hub on a beautiful 13‑hectare site of ponds, woodland and meadow. Managed in partnership with National Grid, it offers opportunities for people of all ages to learn outdoors, explore wildlife habitats, and grow practical skills in a nature‑rich setting.
The Lodge hosts a wide range of gardening workshops, seasonal planting activities, nature trails and hands‑on learning experiences, helping visitors connect with the natural world while building confidence and knowledge. These activities are designed to support wellbeing through physical activity, curiosity and time spent outdoors — and encourage community engagement with sustainable practice and environmental stewardship.
West Boldon Lodge also works with local schools, families and groups to deliver tailored outdoor education sessions that inspire a love of nature, from forest and environmental play to volunteer conservation projects. Whether it’s learning about native plants, discovering mini‑beasts on a nature trail, or trying practical workshops, the site invites people to grow knowledge and connection alongside the landscape.
New Hope North East Allotment
Accessible growing for families, skills and celebration.
New Hope North East runs a welcoming allotment space in South Shields that provides wheelchair‑accessible raised beds and regular group gardening sessions designed to bring families together, build confidence and celebrate the joy of growing.
Situated at the Trinity Walk allotment, the raised beds make it easier for people of all abilities, including those who use wheelchairs — to plant, tend and harvest a variety of vegetables alongside others in the community.
During the growing season, families and volunteers come together to learn practical skills around sowing, caring for crops and discovering where their food comes from, all in a friendly, supportive setting.
These sessions are about more than gardening… they help to promote healthy eating and wellbeing, encourage outdoor activity, and foster social connection among participants. Tools are provided for children to use, making it a fun and inclusive way for families to explore food growing together.
Whether you’re curious about growing food, looking for inclusive outdoor activities, or wanting a space to share in harvest celebrations, the New Hope North East allotment offers a welcoming, accessible entry point into food citizenship and community gardening in South Tyneside.
The Herb Garden – Jarrow Hall
Heritage growing that connects food, history and community.
The Herb Garden at Jarrow Hall brings history to life through plants. Inspired by medieval physic gardens and modeled in part on the Plan of Saint Gall, the garden grows Anglo‑Saxon and medieval herb varieties suited to our climate and soil. preserving centuries‑old traditions of food, medicine and cultivation while offering a living connection to the past.
Located behind Jarrow Hall House and cared for by volunteers, the garden features around 160 different herbs chosen for historical and practical uses. Many of these herbs are even incorporated into dishes and drinks at Hive Coffee Company, the independent café adjacent to the garden, linking heritage growing with local enterprise.
The Herb Garden is not just about plants, it’s a space for learning, sensory experience and quiet reflection, where visitors can explore traditional plant uses, enjoy the sights and scents of growing herbs, and discover how food traditions and nature have shaped local culture over centuries.
NECA
Porlock Gardens
Souter Lighthouse
Allotments
Carbon Reduction & Sustainability Team
South Tyneside Council – Allotments Team
Foraging Walks & Growing
North Marine Park Community Garden
Pigsty Avenue Allotments
WHiST Garden
West Boldon Lodge – Groundwork
New Hope North East Allotment
The Herb Garden – Jarrow Hall
More Food & Growing Information
Find more ways to get involved with good food, community growing and sustainable activity across South Tyneside.