A newly launched project using 4 long abandoned allotment plots at the rear of the Refugee Forum building.
The project is in its infancy but in time it is hoped to develop the following:
• Create and maintain attractive garden space accessible to all NNRF clients, staff and visitors for relaxation and recreation.
• Establish productive vegetable and fruit garden for year round provision of fresh seasonal produce to NNRF café, clients and families. This could include veg/fruit box deliveries and sale of surplus produce.
• Offer clients and volunteers opportunity to become active participants and take ongoing role in the development and management of the project.
• Provide a programme of gardening activities that offers purposeful, rewarding and restorative gardening activities for individual clients, forum groups (eg women’s group) plus staff and volunteers.
• Improve mental and physical wellbeing of project participants. This might include a therapeutic horticulture programme.
• Create a welcoming venue for events and socialising, including garden events focussed on harvest, al fresco cooking and shared eating.
• Offer opportunities for volunteering and possibly horticultural training and education.
• Provide stepping stone for clients and families to obtain their own allotment, possibly by route of other NNRF starter allotments on main site
• Provide opportunities for socialising, language development, orientation and sense of belonging.
• Improve environment by managing plots organically, improving habitat for wildlife, reducing transport by locally producing food.