Teaching vulnerable women to grow their own vegetables
1
The Pitch
Problem statement
Gilead established a horticulture project 18 months ago with funding from the European Social Fund. The ladies under our care take part in a programme of activity designed to educate, train and improve their mental and physical wellbeing. It has proved to be a great training ground for the women we help, many of whom are excited about having a go at growing their own vegetables in the future. We aim to reduce our impact on the natural environment, to improve local biodiversity, to work in partnership with the local community and to continue educating and training the resident. In the last 12 months we have supported 14 women who have issues with addictions, homelessness and abuse.
Solution
We shall be employing ‘no dig’ principles, conserving water by harvesting rainwater and creating our own compost. We shall use companion planting and biological control to minimise damage to crops by pests and diseases, plant native trees, plants and vegetables supporting local diversity and reduce, reuse and recycle. We are requesting funding to develop the new outside allotment area, buying water barrels and building raised beds where our ladies can grow more fruit and vegetables.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
We have been supporting adults for 30 years, many of whom arrived with no skills and leave equipped to enter the community and work place. We have a horticulture manager in place, having been supported by ESF and Petroc College over a year ago, which has firmly established this work experience area. It has proved to be successful and we want to continue providing new gardening projects for our residents. The outside allotment area project is supported by our volunteer Men in Sheds from Okehampton, who work alongside our residents every week and are eager to start, pending available funds. We fundraise for all projects.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Consumables/equipment (Water barrels, electric point, scaffold boards, veggie compost, bio control) | £1,000 |
Beneficiaries
10 people
Expected impact
Our ladies will be able to, with support from our horticulture manager and `Men in sheds' build raised beds in a new outdoor allotment where they can grow more fruit and vegetables. We aim to plant this area with bee friendly herbs, wildflowers and native plants, providing these key pollinators with food throughout the season. Non-native flowers will be carefully selected to lengthen the flowering season, providing nectar for early emerging or late flying bees. Approximately 10 vulnerable women will benefit, receiving one to one and group support in this training area, ultimately changing their lives and futures. Crime, substance misuse, homelessness, domestic violence and unemployment all which are associated with the residents, will be reduced. Their mental and physical health will improve, thus impacting their families.
Track record
During the horticulture project which we ran alongside Petroc college in 2020, two of our residents moved on into further education and employment. This was a great outcome and shows that instilling a work ethic and a daily routine really helps to change and improve lives. Growing and harvesting their own food, our residents eat much healthier and their self confidence grows. One of our residents who participated and has moved into volunteering said recently how much the gardening helped her to grow her own food now she has moved back home.