By Olivia Condous
A community based not-for-profit organisation in Aintree is encouraging locals to connect through the love of all things food and gardening.
We Love Aintree aims to empower neighbourhoods across Melbourne’s West to forge a sense of belonging through the Aintree Garden and Cafe, the Eat Grow Garden initiative and other inclusive community activities.
The organisation is also planning to develop a new community garden in Aintree, which will include 20 garden beds for growing produce and host community events focussed on sustainability.
We Love Aintree Founder Jono Ingram said the new community garden will be a place for the community to connect through the common interest of food.
“We’re really hoping for the garden to be a place for diverse people to get together, find connections and be able to share some of their knowledge around food growing, eating and sustainability,” he said.
Mr Ingram said We Love Aintree was founded with the aim to combat the growing issue of social isolation and loneliness within communities.
“It was all about trying to get local people to connect with one another to build strong relationships, to strengthen their community and to strengthen support,” he said.
The not-for-profit organisation also runs the Eat Grow Garden program, which employs people who may encounter barriers in traditional employment pathways and provides a supportive work environment while teaching them new skills.
The Aintree Cafe & Garden also hosts a monthly book club as well as many community events and workshops.
Mr Ingram said the organisation is also starting to host weekly activities for parents with young children who might otherwise be isolated at home.
“We’re just trying to get people together around a common interest and to connect people together there,” he said.
More information on how to get involved is available on the We Love Aintree website and Facebook page.
