It has been described as “one of the hidden jewels in the city’s crown”, but after winning the BBC Hereford & Worcester Make A Difference Green Award last week, Worcester Community Garden is bound to become much less “hidden” in future.

If you’ve never been before, Worcester community garden nestles alongside Worcester racecourse on Pitchcroft. It is an entirely volunteer-run charity which works in partnership with the NHS, Mencap, Age UK and various mental health charities to provide a safe, tranquil green space for people to work, learn and meet new friends.

The recent addition of an outdoor public living room on the site, which I was delighted to open officially on 27 August, provides a further opportunity to enjoy this lovely green space.

Being on the side of Pitchcroft means the site is prone to annual flooding, and the floods are getting worse year on year. Some of the ideas the volunteers have implemented to mitigate the worst impacts of the floods are inspiring – building up soil levels to raise the height of the fruit trees in its orchard, a floating tool store and office and even floating beehives, which produce delicious local honey. There’s also a solar powered hand washing station for volunteers to use before sitting down to eat lunch together, an important part of the day, and a chance to sit and chat and put the world to rights.

The community garden works alongside nature, growing its beautiful vegetables, fruit and flowers, which you can purchase on site, without chemicals and without air miles.

With over 4,500 visitors already this year, the volunteers have become adept at showing people round this amazing site and you can be sure of a warm and friendly welcome yourself if you decide to drop in. For more information see: www.worcestercommunitygarden.org.uk