When Grove Garden approached us earlier this year, the brief was simple but important: the charity needed a dry, all-weather space where visitors to its Haywards Heath community garden could shelter and continue to meet, whatever the forecast. As a Haywards Heath business ourselves, we were glad to help.
About Grove Garden
Grove Garden is a community garden and registered charity based on Heath Road in the centre of Haywards Heath. It offers a safe, friendly meeting space for people over 50 and their families, many of whom don’t have access to a garden of their own. Visitors come along for gardening, Tai Chi, Silver Swans ballet and simple company, and the garden has become a genuine lifeline for people looking to reduce isolation and build new friendships.
The charity has been working to fund and build an all-weather cabin so that Grove Garden can stay open through the winter months, doubling the support it can offer throughout the year. You can read more about the project, get involved, or donate at grovegarden.uk.
Where Miniature Manors Came In
Grove Garden’s trustees came to us for advice on a suitable log cabin to serve as the new dry space. We reviewed the models available on the market and helped the team select an option that matched the garden’s budget, the site, and how the space would be used day to day.
Once the model was chosen, our team designed and installed a ground screw foundation, a fast, low-disturbance foundation method well suited to a live community garden site where minimal groundworks disruption mattered.
Bringing In Local Trade Support
Part of the value we could offer Grove Garden was our network of local trade contacts here in Haywards Heath. We introduced the charity to the team at Jewson in Haywards Heath, who kindly supplied the timber for the decking and insulation, along with the rubber roofing material. A local contractor then carried out the cabin build itself.
Once the structure was up, our team returned to the site to fit the insulation and complete the roof, making sure the cabin would perform as a genuine all-weather space rather than just a garden building. We also introduced Grove Garden to the local Howdens team, who supplied the flooring for the finished cabin. Materials were made available to build a ramp, so the new space is fully wheelchair accessible for visitors.
A Community Effort
The project has drawn support from across Haywards Heath and Mid Sussex, from local businesses and councils through to volunteers and individual fundraisers. The ground-breaking moment for the cabin was marked on site, with our director Richard Kear joining Grove Garden trustee Peter Charton, chair Nigel Ryan and volunteer head gardener Chris Croft.
As Richard said at the time: “We’re delighted to support Grove Garden and the incredible work it does for the local community. This project is a fantastic example of people coming together to create something lasting, welcoming and truly life-enhancing.”
Why Garden Buildings Suit Community Spaces
Garden buildings can work well for all kinds of community uses, not just as garden studios. A hand-crafted garden room makes a practical space for fitness groups, support groups, or childcare providers such as childminders who need a dedicated space separate from the main house. Properly insulated, a cabin can be used year-round, without the cost or planning complexity of a full extension. As a Haywards Heath design and build company, Miniature Manors can advise charities, community groups and small businesses on the right building for their site, budget and use. We cover Sussex, Surrey, parts of Kent and pockets of South London. If you’ve got an idea for a bespoke garden building, use our Project Planner to contact us for your complimentary estimate and design.
Get Involved
Grove Garden is open Tuesday to Friday, 12pm to 2.30pm, and Saturdays 9am to 12.30pm, at its site on Heath Road, Haywards Heath. If you’d like to find out more, volunteer, or support the charity’s fundraising, visit grovegarden.uk or follow the group on Facebook.
