My Mini Growing Space is a small woodland and/or edible teaching garden that we help you build for your own group or community.
We want you to get started straight away! And the steps are simple.
We have put together a comprehensive step-by-step plan so that children and small communities are empowered to kickstart their own and unique Mini Growing Space: all with fun & confidence, and even if you are complete beginners! We teach you everything!
The process has 5 steps:
- the auditing and a site visit of your space by the project expert (in person or in a virtual tour),
- the design and planning of your mini garden,
- the preparation and sourcing of the right material (to fit your budget and meet your community needs),
- the execution and construction of the new space, and finally...
- the planting plan & delivery of future workshops/events for your community.
This idea is open to small schools, churches, libraries, communities centres or groups that have available a small unused or derelict outdoor space that they would like to transform into an attractive & educational space for their community.
We want to encourage any nature lover to take part and apply so they can grow healthy food, improve the wellbeing and mental health of young people, meet their group/organisation sustainability goals, learn the basic skills on how to use and maintain their new space successfully all year round!
Once you get your funding approved (which will mainly cover the cost of material and equipment), you will receive the following:
With your 'Growing Space' expert:
- 1 site visit (in person or a virtual tour: depending on the location of your project)
- 3 x 1-on-1 sessions sharing expert advice through a personal coach to help you grow in confidence and tackle any challenges you may have about creating a Mini Growing Space with success
- 1 Weekly Q&As or unlimited email/text correspondence with your expert for 8 weeks (once your funding is successfully received)
There is more!... You will also receive a tailored and comprehensive digital tool kit with:
- the basics of horticultural knowledge, gardening skills, links to curriculums (if required),
- suggestions and guidance on how you can meet your sustainability goals,
- guidance on how to run successful small community family events,
- information on how to make your new garden functional all year round,
- how to manage behaviour and small groups in the outdoors,
- how to meet your group's needs, and much more!
Timeline: When will you be able to start your project? From now. How often will your team meet? Regular communication via email. Are there any key dates to share for the project? 6 gardening workshops starting from Summer 23 leading to the Eco Exhibition in September. Budget: You don't need to share exact prices, but please share how you're planning to spend the seed funding & what costs you're anticipating to get your project up and running: Gardening materials and hiring local experts to run the workshops. Impact: How will your community benefit from this project?We’re aiming to deliver projects that are inclusive and involve a cross section of our community, from families, and children to the elderly, and disabled etc. The events would help combatting social isolation, increase mental health wellbeing, and share and acquire new skillsets and educate on climate change, eco sustainability, biodiversity, etc. Do you have any measurable goals for your project, such as the number of people that will participate? About 500 people. Are you hoping to spread knowledge or increase interest in a specific subject? Eco sustainability, Biodiversity, climate change, pollination, water conservation, clean air. It’d be great to be able to link some projects with the Council’s Green Plan such as: Butterflies Conservation and Bee Superhighway Projects. Location: If your project requires physical space, have you decided the location? Yes, we have Do you have all necessary permission and permits to carry out your project at the chosen location? we do not require specific permits. Additional questions Please answer the questions below as much as you can. Growing Space will review the information you provide before your kickstart call. This will help save time and get you started straight on your project once you receive your seed funding! 1) Please take a few pictures of your site (at different time of the day ideally and when the sun is out). In progress. So far uploaded photos taken at 12noon. 2) Please write here a small description of what you would ideally like to achieve: we'd like to educate the community on Eco sustainability, Biodiversity, climate change, pollination, water conservation, clean air. It’d be great to be able to link some projects with the Council’s Green Plan such as: Butterflies Conservation and Bee Superhighway Projects. 3) Please confirm the age group of children you are working with and that will be involved in the implementation of your project: All ages.. 4) Please give us the estimate of the number of children that your new Mini Growing Space will benefit (can be directly and indirectly): About 50/100 5) What activities do you plan to offer that will include your community (other than children) (for instance, parents, neighbours, extended families of children or else, elderly people): All ages and also reaching out to Disability organisations. 6) What do you already have in your site that can be reused (material, structures etc)? N/A 7) Water access - please state if you have water access on your site and if you are willing to install a water butt (not obligatory) We have water access. 8) Please confirm in writing here that you have permission from a manager or landlord (of the building or head of a school (as necessary) that says that they are happy to make the improvement of their outdoor space and let you lead the project. Yes, we do, by the current Library' Service Delivery Managers. Please note that it is your responsibility to ask a written permission to the site owner. The process is simple but essential to avoid delays in the future. This can be done an email or official head letter from a landlord or manager etc. Thank you for being diligent. That’s all for now! We are excited to get you started!
Hi thanks for the pictures, Please ensure that you respond to each question (it does not have to be final) just a rough idea of what you'd like to achieve . Thank you!