We have been working hard to expand our educational programmes and during the last few months we have been running additional sessions for groups of young people and families in partnership with Crossroads Kent and Imago. Some of them came to the field while others joined a workshop via
Zoom. Families and children received a growing kit in advance, learned planting herbs for pizzas.

The young carers have a sibling with a disability and this is an opportunity for the family to do something different together. These activities gave them some respite from their caring roles and a chance to experience the benefits of nature with their friends.

We also re-started our Tuesday Home Education Programme and have been welcoming familiar faces and new families to the site since March 23rd 2021. Our program is proving popular, and all three sessions are fully booked, and we now have a further waiting list. We feel this increase reflects the fact that for a long time, such families have not had any learning sites to visit elsewhere, we are also offering something that is not generally available (i.e. regular weekly sessions), and because what we offer is highly regarded. We are designing, and building a new raised bed in the shape of a pizza that will become our dedicated Field-to-Fork area. We will involve all our Home Education attendees to help with this project, along with all other students we work with. Participants have enjoyed theory sessions and practical sessions, covering topics such as Soil Analysis – getting mucky with rolling mud into sausages!; Plant Parts and dissection – really taking time to learn and observe different flower forms, functions and parts, also planting and sowing flowers. Children have generally engaged really well with our sessions, building confidence with practical tasks. They enjoy meeting with other families on site, and it is good to see their confidence grow.

We are currently working in partnership with INVOLVE KENT, on a wellbeing project for people over 55 and people under 45 with a long term health condition. We will be offering groups the opportunity to meet others outside in nature, to join in our activities to support their health and wellbeing.

We are looking forward to delivering new and exciting sessions over the coming months.

General inquiries: info@communigrow.org.uk

https://communigrow.org.uk/