Voices from the Garden: More Than Human
Written by Sam Ikhuoria
Voices from the Garden is an audio series created by The Rainbow Community Garden as part of the Newham Festival of Stories. Culture Within Newham then micro-commissioned The Rainbow Community Garden to create an in-person audio trail for all to enjoy. Each audio piece is also available to listen to as a ‘Blog’ on the Culture Within Newham website, or at the garden.
More Than Human
In ‘More Than Humaan’, the Rainbow Garden team invites you to imagine what the world looks, sounds and feels like from the perspective of another living being: What might it mean to experience the Rainbow Garden as a tree, a plant, a worm or even a mushroom?
From this perspective, the garden reveals itself not only as a place of human activity, but as a living, breathing ecosystem filled with sounds, textures and connections.
This episode encourages us to listen more closely to the world around us; to recognise that every part of the garden, from soil to sunlight, has its own story. By imagining life through another lens, we learn empathy, curiosity and respect for all the living things that make the Rainbow Garden thrive.
““I see a lot of children wandering around the Rainbow Garden. I hear the rustling of the leaves and people talking. I smell the sweet smell of tea and the autumn air. I can taste the bitter grass on my cricket ball. I feel elated because of all the people throwing the ball for me. The garden has changed a lot over time; for example the colourful skate park and tables. I can see people playing, I can hear people talking, the wind wrestling leaves, a car going pass.””
About Rainbow Community Garden
The Rainbow Community Garden started in 2020, and is now run by a committee of local residents who run activities and events, and planning the development of the garden space for the whole community to enjoy. Follow them on Instagram for updates.
Visit Rainbow Community Garden and listen to the whole audio trail at:
Brampton Park,
Lonsdale Avenue,
E6 3LA
Learn more about Voices from the Garden on their dedicated Project page.
What are Micro-Commissions for Newham?
In December 2024 Culture Within Newham launched a new micro-commissioning scheme for grants of up to £1,000. The first round offered commissions to artists and organisations in the Green Street, East Ham, Manor Park, and Little Ilford areas. The second round of commissions was for Custom House, Beckton, and Royal Albert/North Woolwich.
The micro-commissions aim to support new ideas, providing an opportunity to build experience in delivering artistic or creative projects. Meet the rest of the Micro-Commissions on their dedicated project page.