Grey to Blue: Reed Bed Challenge

The Pitch

Problem statement

Hull is ranked as the 3rd most deprived city in the UK, a report issued by the University of Sheffield in July 2021 flagged that in Hull 13% of people are going hungry and more than 1 in 5 adults are struggling to access food. Rooted in Hull is an urban farm in the centre of Hull with a vision to connect people back to good quality, local and affordable food. To do this we have a range of activities to allow our volunteers and service users get involved in producing sustainable food for all. We utilise One Planet Living principles, part of this is turning greywater into water suitable for agriculture. We do this through using reedbeds that at 7 years old are at the end of their usable life.

Solution

We need funding to purchase and maintain a new reedbed system that will give us another 7 years of agricultural quality water for food growing. Due to our connections to local businesses, we can obtain the equipment and reeds at a much lower rate than the £1000s usually needed, but it still needs installation and maintenance. We are not connected to water mains. All of our water is rain harvested from the roofs of neighbouring buildings and then fed through a reedbed and hydroponics system to ensure is is high enough quality for food growing. All of our activities are supported by skilled sessional workers who demonstrate our One Planet Living principles to people who want to learn more.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

Since lockdown began we have had 2,000+ people visiting the site. We are asked constantly about our projects and how they can be put into practice at home. We share our knowledge and are finding that recently there is greater interest in community projects and climate change as well as enthusiasm for growing their own food. Many people genuinely care about what is happening to the planet and how we can do something about it. We are responsive to these requests and have a team that will help people set up their own projects, e.g. one volunteer is constructing a hydroponic unit with the help of a local hydroponic shop. Our connections with similar organisations mean that we can share expertise

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

100 people

Expected impact

At Rooted in Hull we work with volunteers, individuals and community groups to show people how they can support themselves by growing, preparing and cooking their own food at a minimal cost to themselves. We welcome volunteers from all walks of life, including marginalised individuals such as ex-offenders, people recovering from substance mis-use, vulnerable adults, young parents and those who have experienced homelessness. As an urban farm, we are able to offer a variety of activities that suit the individual as well as closed sessions for specific groups that benefit from the ability to learn at their own pace in a welcoming space that offers no judgement. The importance of working outside for the benefit of mental health and wellbeing has been well documented, especially during the pandemic. During this time we distributed 60+ veg planters to families who have never grown food before, we now give out veg boxes on a weekly basis to families who don’t usually get fresh, local food.

Track record

Rooted in Hull's staff and volunteers are passionate about collaborative working and work with many other organisations throughout Hull with the aim of improving peoples lives. We already work with the Probation Service and Humberside Police, Hull CCG, PAUSE ladies group, refugee and asylum seeking groups, BAMEEN and Humber All Nations Alliance. Over the course of the pandemic, we have experienced an increase in the number of different organisations that wish to work with us. Rooted in Hull also hosts Hull Food Partnership and is committed to joint working with VCSE organisations across Hull. "Having had a number of friends recommend Rooted for its friendly atmosphere and delicious food, I decided it was time to check the place out myself. I was instantly made to feel welcome by everyone there. Providing a warm village-like atmosphere in the heart of the city was something I really craved." - Lee, part of Rooted in Hull's addiction recovery outreach in partnership with OSHI

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