We are excited to announce that community gardener Maria Cabrera will be leading this year’s growing season at ACAVA Maxilla Walk Studios.

Maria will be working with families in North Kensington to build on previous work done in the garden as part of ACAVA’s Cultivate Create programme.

Maria Cabrera is a Venezuelan-born community gardener who grew up learning about medicinal plants in her grandmother’s garden, and was handed down traditional recipes from her aunties and neighbours. Living in the city, she has first-hand experience of the positive impact that nature can have on mental wellbeing. In the past few years, Maria was grateful to have retrained from working in film to being a gardener and working with plants.

Maria is passionate about growing food and exploring how different cultures connect to the natural world, with a particular interest in Latin American and Caribbean crops and their histories.

“I am looking forward to helping create a garden that reflects its community and encourages creativity and a personal connection to nature in people of all ages.”
– Maria Cabrera

Now in its third year, Cultivate Create is a creative growing project for North Kensington families with a focus on wellbeing and emotional resilience. It provides a safe, non-judgmental space for families in which to be creative and connect to nature.

This year, ACAVA will also be partnering with Hammersmith Community Gardening Association, which will support our volunteers to help us prepare the space for the season ahead, offer materials and equipment at cost price, and help Maria with mentoring and support.

Is your family from North Kensington and would like to join our programme? Fill out this form to get involved.

Cultivate Create has been funded by the North Kensington Recovery Programme, as part of its self-care offer Healthier Futures.