Growsie

Newham's Hidden Gems Map

I started Mapping Newham's community gardens to understand the local resource for plant sharing. But this became a project of its own, with 50 strong green and blue spaces in the borough. The map has brought everyone together, sharing resources and supporting each other when times can feel tough and lonely. The map has also been used as a resource for NHS social prescribing practitioners, a loverly surprise and far surpassing my expectations.

Latest version (October 2025) Click here
First version (published in 2023)

Improving access to Newham's Hidden Gems

Community gardens can often be difficult to find, tucked away behind residential streets with no signage. We want to change this and help more people find and enjoy these hidden gems. Working with the National Park Rangers programme and local communities we are creating an emblem for each green or blue space that will form a walking map (and eventually a waymarked trail), helping more people to share, visit and celebrate these wonderful places.