Growing Together at Wakefield Kirkgate — Groundwork Yorkshire Horticulture Sessions Update

Since restarting in January, the Groundwork Yorkshire Horticulture sessions at Wakefield Kirkgate have been blooming with activity, learning and practical experience. What started as a cold winter morning has quickly grown into a space filled with optimism, camaraderie and hands-on skills. We’re proud of everything the group has achieved so far.

These sessions bring people together from across the wider Wakefield community, including LGBT+ folk looking for meaningful skills, connection and visibility in shared outdoor spaces.

Gardening might not always be the first thing people think of when they imagine community activity, but the process of growing plants, building structures and caring for land gives everyone involved a sense of purpose, teamwork and pride.

What we’ve learned and achieved

Since January, the group has been working hard on practical projects that build confidence and capability:

• Preparing the ground - Before planting can begin, there’s groundwork to be done. The group cleared weeds and debris, levelled the soil, and prepared the site to ensure healthy growing conditions. This kind of physical work can be tough, but it’s also incredibly rewarding — especially when everyone chips in and supports one another.

• Constructing three raised beds - Participants learned how to measure, cut and build the frames that will become our raised planting areas. This involved teamwork, tool use, and techniques for ensuring the beds are sturdy and long-lasting.

• Filling the beds and getting ready to plant - With the beds constructed and the ground prepared, the team filled them with quality soil and compost, ready for the next stage: planting! We’re looking forward to sowing seeds and planting vegetables and flowers in the coming weeks as the weather warms up.

Learning by doing

These sessions aren’t just about building things — they’re about gaining transferable skills, sharing knowledge and enjoying the outdoors together. People have learned:

• How to use basic tools safely and effectively

• Principles of soil health and plant growth

• How to work collaboratively as a group

• The value of patience, care and consistency in growing things from the ground up

We’ve loved seeing everyone’s confidence grow alongside the physical progress at the site.

What’s next?

Now that the raised beds are ready, we’re looking forward to planning what to plant — from pollinator-friendly flowers to herbs and maybe vegetables to learning about planting techniques and maintenance; and finally watching our efforts grow into something we can share with the community

Our horticulture sessions are a great space for people of all abilities to come together, learn new things and feel part of something that literally grows. For LGBT+ people in particular, it’s another way we create space where people feel welcome, valued and connected.

Get involved

There’s still time to join these sessions if you’d like to get your hands dirty and be part of the team! You can find more details and upcoming dates here:👉 https://www.longboatwakefield.org/gwsessions

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or you’ve never picked up a trowel before, there’s a place for you.

From everyone involved — thank you for your enthusiasm, your effort, and your willingness to learn. We can’t wait to see what grows next.