Motivations and barriers in Huddersfield’s community gardens: exploring experiential social capital and community resilience

This study scrutinises the motivations and barriers to participation in community gardens (CGs) in Huddersfield, a town in West Yorkshire, UK, through the lens of experiential social capital. It presents a theoretical framework that integrates bonding, bridging, and linking social capital, while emphasising the importance of shared sensory experiences in strengthening social bonds and emotional connections. Using qualitative methods, the study draws on 16 semi-structured interviews with community members. The findings identify key motivations for participation, including social interaction, mental well-being, and skill development. Reported barriers include declining volunteer numbers, physical workload, limited institutional support, and accessibility challenges. The study highlights CGs as valuable spaces for fostering social cohesion and enhancing community resilience. It concludes with practical recommendations for garden managers, designers, and policymakers to improve engagement and support the long-term sustainability of these initiatives.