An overgrown courtyard at Red Sea House has been transformed into a community garden – a place to grow food, enjoy nature and bring generations together in the heart of Butetown.

Working with Yaina from gardening charity Perennial, elders, women and young people helped design the garden together. They shared ideas about what they wanted from the space, including edible plants, plants with connections to Somalia, and somewhere welcoming for people of different ages to meet.

Over eight weeks, the group cleared the courtyard, built raised beds, planted and learned new gardening skills. Along the way, elders shared memories of growing food in Somalia and elsewhere, while different generations worked alongside and learned from one another.

The garden continues to grow and is now a shared space for residents of Red Sea House and the wider community – created together and rooted in memories, knowledge and hopes for the future.

Click the images to explore the garden.