Haringey Libraries has been awarded £40,000 from the Mayor of London’s Grow Back Greener Fund, to transform an underused area of St Ann’s Library into a regenerative growing and educational space.

The project will be delivered in partnership with Volunteer it Yourself (VIY) and Edible London, with work beginning this month and expected to be completed within nine months.

The new garden will be known as the CookBook Edible Library and will be delivered by a dedicated network of volunteers and community groups who will plant at least 30 new trees and convert more than 200m² of grey space into green.

The project aims to provide positive nutrition messages and support young people in Tottenham in accessing green space and engaging with food and nature. It will also give young people opportunities to learn trade skills whilst participating in a wide range of outdoor activities including bench building, gardening and nurturing vegetables and trees and building bug houses, bird houses and a wormery.

VIY is a national organisation that combines DIY and volunteering by challenging young people aged 14-24 to help repair and refurbish facilities within their own communities. Edible London was one of Haringey Council’s partners in responding to community food needs during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Haringey Libraries are a key feature of local communities and support residents to explore reading and learning through a wide range of methods.

Cllr Mark Blake, Cabinet Member for Communities, said:

I’m delighted that Haringey has been awarded this grant, which will bring a positive and innovative green project to Tottenham.

The project will provide local young people with the opportunity to learn valuable skills and participate in activities they may not otherwise have access to, as well as delivering a new green space for the whole community to enjoy