The Growing Skills Garden

The Growing Skills Garden was designed for Pulp Friction CIO, a Nottinghamshire-based charity supporting individuals with learning disabilities and autism. Their mission is to help members develop social independence and work-readiness skills through tailored programs that reflect their aspirations. The garden embodies this ethos, championing inclusivity and challenging perceptions of what people with learning disabilities are capable of.

The garden’s concept is rooted in the Forest Garden model, first pioneered by Robin Hart. Based on permaculture principles, these spaces are designed to be productive, biodiverse urban sanctuaries that promote relaxation and interaction with nature. Hart’s inspiration came from supporting his autistic brother, making this approach particularly meaningful to the charity. Every plant species in the Growing Skills Garden is either edible, medicinal, or beneficial to wildlife. A third of the plants were cultivated by Pulp Friction members, working alongside the nursery team at the University of Nottingham, thereby forging a partnership that offers learning opportunities and horticultural experience.

The garden’s design reflects the energy of Pulp Friction’s smoothie bar bikes—stationary bicycles that power blenders to make smoothies sold by members at events across the UK. The centrifugal movement of the bikes inspired the garden’s layout, with an explosion of edible plants radiating from the centre. This central gathering space symbolizes the organization’s connection with the broader community and serves as a welcoming hub for diversity, inclusion, and equality.

Sustainability is at the heart of the garden. Pulp Friction’s ethos of minimizing waste is reflected in the materials used throughout. The paving was sourced from Marshalls PLC’s Scoutmoor Quarry, and repurposes waste stone from the production of standard paving slabs, which were re-sawn into linear setts. The timber was supplied by Woodland Heritage’s Whitney Sawmill and consists of sustainably sourced UK waste oak—the first slab cuts from the milling process. The gabions were filled with materials collected from volunteers, family, and friends. They serve as both decorative elements and wildlife habitats. These gabions also provide a special personal touch, allowing many individuals to contribute to the garden’s creation and fostering a deep sense of community ownership. The feature elements are created from recycled firehose donated by the local Fire Station. Located at Stockhill Fire Station in Nottingham, the garden offers a safe and welcoming space for Pulp Friction members, the local community, and firefighters coping with psychological stress.

The project was a true community effort, with over 200 volunteers coming together to build the garden. Accessibility was a key consideration, with wider paths allowing individuals with mobility needs to navigate the space comfortably, while benches provide areas to sit and relax, surrounded by abundant edible planting.

Positioned along a busy urban road, it serves as a much-needed green refuge. Ongoing maintenance of the garden is a collaborative effort between Pulp Friction, Stockhill Fire Crew, and local volunteers, ensuring that it remains a thriving inclusive green refuge where people can connect, grow, and find respite in nature providing a calming natural space within the city.