History
Mother Goose Wildlife Garden is part of Mother Goose Nurseries, which was established in 1989 by Krish and Curtis Brown for the purpose of providing high-quality childcare for local communities in Southwark and neighbouring boroughs. We have always been committed to providing the children in our care with a rich and varied curriculum, including exciting learning experiences outdoors. Therefore, it was a natural progression for us to obtain a neighbouring piece of neglected land, to create an idyllic outdoor learning environment. Our vision was to create a welcoming space for the children in our care and for the wider community, from pre-schoolers, teenagers and to our more senior citizens. The wildlife garden is run separately to the adjoining nursery and is open for community events during the weekend, for the purpose of providing social, learning and well-being events for the local community.
In London, wildlife and green spaces are under threat from urban development. We have a deep passion for the natural world and want to play our part in protecting nature by providing habitats for local species. As we have spent most of our lives working in Southwark, we also have a strong commitment to improving the lives of the community in Southwark. Research shows the benefits to both physical and emotional well-being of spending time outdoors, and Mother Goose Wildlife Garden offers many opportunities for children and adults to engage with nature and outdoor activities. We organise a programme of seasonal activities to enable people to learn new skills, meet people and just relax in a welcoming green space. We have been successful in obtaining funding from Southwark Council on a number of occasions, for the purpose of working with the local community, in addition to providing our own funds. In order to make our events accessible to the whole community, our events are free, although donations are most welcome. The wildlife garden is accessible to wheelchair users.
We do not discriminate against any protected characteristics in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Our Aims
Are to:
Raise awareness of healthy eating, through providing opportunities for children and adults to grow food and learn to prepare and eat freshly picked produce
- Help people to appreciate the wonder and beauty of wildlife through a range of activities including pond dipping and nature trails
- Provide opportunities for people to experience exercise and fresh air, as part of a healthy lifestyle
- Provide opportunities for children to design, build and construct using a range of natural materials
- Inspire people to know more about horticulture, perhaps introducing it as a career choice
- Inspire people to engage with environmental issues
- Increase young people’s awareness of local biodiversity, particularly those who are disengaged with nature, through interaction with our wildlife garden and activities which provide inclusive youth engagement
- Support people’s mental health and well-being through providing opportunities to access green spaces and engage in supportive activities
- Protect and conserve wildlife habitats and species populations within the area, and to engage local people in this work.
Sustainability
We encourage sustainability by composting garden and kitchen waste on site, collecting manure from local city farms and by selling plants raised in the garden.
We collect rain water for the watering of our plants and wherever possible, try to use recycled materials for projects.
The vegetables we grow are used for catering at community events – zero food miles!