Asgard Sheds Boost HMP Bullingdon Gardens with PACT & The Nature Effect
At Asgard Storage, we believe in more than just high‑security storage solutions. We believe in supporting communities and creating spaces that bring people together. Our recent project at HMP Bullingdon perfectly exemplifies that ethos: installing an Access Shed in the Visitor Centre garden and a Saracen Shed in the prison’s inmate‑maintained gardens, in partnership with the prison charity PACT and community organisation The Nature Effect.
A Collaborative Community Project
When Laura Burt from The Nature Effect approached us to support their garden initiatives at HMP Bullingdon, we knew this would be more than a straightforward installation. The Nature Effect, a not‑for‑profit Community Interest Company, uses nature to transform people and spaces by running community gardens, workshops and outdoor projects that foster wellbeing and skill‑building. Meanwhile, PACT (Prison Advice and Care Trust) is the UK’s leading charity supporting prisoners, people with convictions, and their families, providing family‑friendly Visitor Centres and reducing harm and reoffending across England and Wales.
Together, these partners have cultivated two distinct garden spaces at HMP Bullingdon. The Visitor Centre garden offers families a welcoming, sheltered spot when loved ones visit, while the gardens “on the wing” are maintained by inmates as part of their horticultural and rehabilitative programmes. Both spaces needed secure, functional storage to keep tools, equipment and visitor‑welcome materials safe and dry.
Why the Asgard Access and Saracen Sheds?
Access Shed in the Visitor Centre
The smaller garden shed, our Access Shed (7 ft × 5 ft 2″) was the perfect fit for the Visitor Centre garden. Our compact garden storage unit features galvanised steel panels, a reinforced floor, and an anti‑tamper locking system, providing:
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Weather-resistant durability – protects plants, seating cushions and visitor materials
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Secure lock – reassurance for staff and volunteers that equipment stays safe
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Spacious interior – room for gardening tools, toys for the children, and signage
"It was super windy, so not the easiest install - but the guys were amazing and so quick. The one at the Visitor Centre looks fab. … Both of these sheds help enormously with security and functionality which are both essential on these sites.” - Laura Burt, The Nature Effect
Saracen Shed in the Prison Gardens
For the inmate‑maintained garden, we donated a larger garden storage solution, the Saracen model (8 ft × 6 ft). This shed combines heavy‑duty galvanised steel panels with all the convenience of a garden shed:
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Heavy‑duty galvanised panels – resist rust and damage, ideal for an outdoor metal shed in a working garden.
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Two‑point locking – simple yet robust security for tools and materials in this garden storage.
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Large double‑doors – easy access for wheelbarrows, planters and compost bags in a practical, weatherproof metal shed.
Inmates and staff working in the garden not only gain horticultural skills but also experience ownership and responsibility - knowing their tools are safely stored adds to the sense of pride and continuity in the project.
The Impact on Staff, Visitors and Inmates
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Visitors and Families: A neat, sheltered storage solution ensures gardening tools and children’s play resources are always available and protected, fostering a more relaxed and welcoming visit.
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Prison Staff & Volunteers: The Access Shed keeps essential supplies organised and secure in a dedicated garden storage unit, reducing set‑up time and ensuring smooth operation of the Visitor Centre garden.
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Inmate Gardeners: The Saracen Shed underpins their rehabilitative horticulture programme, providing safe storage for tools and empowering them to maintain and develop the garden space.
By working hand‑in‑hand with PACT and The Nature Effect, we’ve helped create two vibrant, secure community spaces, demonstrating that secure garden sheds are about more than safeguarding belongings; they’re about empowering people and enriching lives.
Looking Ahead
This project at HMP Bullingdon is just one example of how Asgard can support charitable and community‑driven spaces. Whether it’s a prison garden, school allotment or public green space, our range of metal sheds and garden storage solutions offers the security and functionality needed to make community projects flourish.
Interested in partnering with Asgard on your next community initiative? Get in touch to see how we can help your project grow.
