Estimated Price

£1,000

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Summary

Help us in creating vibrant spaces for nurturing both plants and people! We urgently need funding to support our gardening projects and cover essential costs. Your contribution will help us enhance mutual aid initiatives for the community.

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Description

The North Ayrshire Foodbank, in partnership with the Trussell Trust, aims to establish and encourage inclusive spaces where community voices can be heard. This is achieved through a holistic approach to gardening, with the goal of addressing food insecurity by emphasizing the importance of communities coming together and utilizing their power and resilience to grow fruit and vegetables. The project's primary focus is on nurturing individuals alongside food, promoting learning, and understanding the effectiveness of a collective approach. It is open to all residents of The Three Towns and offers an opportunity to gain insight into nutritious food and contribute to improving lifestyles. The space values diversity of skills and experiences.This proposal aims to secure and develop green spaces for community use in cultivating fruit and vegetables using permaculture principles. By working with nature, we can grow a variety of produce and edible flowers, some of which can be donated to community larders to support those in need. These spaces will not only address food insecurity in the Three Towns but also provide therapeutic gardening opportunities for individuals without their own gardens.Top of FormThe project aims to cultivate a strong sense of community ownership at a local level, promoting both formal and informal education in food production. It will emphasize hands-on learning, risk assessment, and the exchange of peer-led expertise, recognizing the value of practical. In terms of environmental stewardship, the project is committed to adopting an organic-only approach to growing, promoting natural pollinators, and avoiding the use of pesticides and artificial growth enhancers. Additionally, efforts will be made to repurpose materials and explore upcycling opportunities. The initiative will also actively engage with a diverse range of cultural groups, including New Scots from Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan, as well as long-standing communities in the Three Towns. Their participation will bring together traditional and modern cultivation practices, enriching the local food production landscape. The project is dedicated to fostering collective action and empowerment within the community with and for its members.The project's long-term benefits are far-reaching. It will empower the community by creating a sense of ownership and responsibility for the growing spaces, providing fresh produce for community larders, and offering opportunities for exercise and mindfulness. Additionally, the project will stimulate wider community engagement around food access and provision. It will also play a role in promoting biodiversity and pollinators, reducing carbon footprints, and providing valuable volunteering opportunities that contribute to increased self-confidence and wellness. This project has the potential to create solidarity and common cause in the Three Towns communities. By creating these spaces, we aim to develop conversations with community members concerning how they feel about issues they may face within the area. The community campaigner will be facilitating a mutual aid organisation style of group work with individuals and for individuals.The project will have a direct positive impact on the community as it involves 30-40 individuals in its development. An estimated 250 people will benefit from the produce, while 150 will have the opportunity to engage in activities such as storytelling and educational sessions at the project sites. This initiative aims to create spaces where people can relax, actively participate in their community, and engage in gardening based on a "do what you can" ethos. Partnerships with other organizations will facilitate directing participants to the project and providing on-site services.The Three Towns project aims to foster community ownership and sustainable practices through the promotion of organic cultivation. Participants will be encouraged to grow their own produce, regardless of their living situation. This initiative not only focuses on food growth, but also on personal development and community collaboration. By involving diverse individuals with various skills, the project will thrive, offering valuable experiences and knowledge about nutritious food and healthier lifestyle choices to all residents of The Three Towns.

Breakdown of costs Water Butts 4X _£160 Compost Bins 2x = £260 PPE- Gloves (Riggers Quality) 15x= £75 Protective eyewear £150 Water Containers 6x =£60 Seed Various £200 Topsoil and compost £95