Woodston library group wins cash to tackle loneliness with seed workshops
Seeds of Friendship project will bring people together to make wildflower seed packets
A library group in Woodston has won £1,000 to launch a new project aimed at tackling loneliness in the community.
The Friends of Woodston Library received the award after being recognised for their work campaigning to secure the future of Woodston Library and improve its accessibility.
They were nominated for the Heart of the Community Award by a local retailer, and went on to win the accolade, run by the Making a Difference Locally charity on behalf of Co-op Wholesale and NISA stores.
Jennie Storey, Chair of the Friends of Woodston Library, said the recognition reflects the importance of the library to the local area.
"Loneliness is a real issue for everybody at certain times, and we want to help hold somebody's hand in a way along that path," she said.
"We hope that it will have a massive impact for general wellbeing. And of course, people are learning new skills, they're meeting new people, they may be making new friends."
The group is using the funding to launch a project called 'Seeds of Friendship', led by artist Ann Bellamy.
All-age workshops will be held at Woodston Library this October, where people will create seed bags by reusing old gardening magazines, filling them with wildflower seeds.
The bags will be labelled with a message of hope and given away to the community to plant at home or in the local area.
Ann Bellamy, a Friends of Woodston Library member, said the project is about encouraging people in Woodston, Fletton and surrounding areas to see the library as a safe and friendly place.
'Everyone will have the chance to get involved, bringing people together to make new friends which can often be quite difficult, particularly as we get older,' she said.
'The workshops will enable people to get to know each other. As the seeds are planted and grow, visible evidence of friendship seeds will create connection.'
Organisers say the initiative also supports the natural environment, as most people can walk or cycle to their local library rather than drive.
Workshops will take place at Woodston Library on Saturdays throughout October, on the 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th, between 2pm and 4pm.
People can drop in at any point during the two-hour sessions to create their own seed packets.
The group says it is also hoping to work with local schools as part of their inclusion and environmental work.