Growing well-being to help people face life’s challenges is the aim of a free course on offer in October.
The Growth Project is organised by New Leaf Allotment, part of charitable housing association BCHA, and will be run at their allotment in Throop.
The project is open to anyone aged 19 or over who is unemployed or facing issues with mental health, learning difficulties or social isolation.
Participants will learn fruit and vegetable growing, plant propagation, wildlife conservation and mindfulness techniques, as well as apple pressing.
The six-week course aims to help participants become more active, healthier and better equipped to cope with life’s pressures. Travel expenses and lunch are provided.
Jamie Clarke, BCHA’s Ignite Project Manager who oversees the course, said: “The Growth Project is a great way for us to help improve people’s well-being.
“The course brings people together from different backgrounds and focuses on personal development and horticultural activities.
“We have had amazing feedback from previous participants and we’re looking forward to welcoming our next intake.”
The BCHA allotment was set up 11 years ago and since then has provided outdoor activities and formal qualifications, in the form of a Level 1 Horticulture course, to hundreds of people.
Allotment Co-ordinator Miles Mahoney runs the 2.2 acre allotment with the help of a team of dedicated volunteers, most of whom have been introduced to gardening via the courses on offer. All the fruit and vegetables grown on the allotment are shared between those who work to produce them.
The Growth Project course starts on October 3. For more information about taking part contact newleafallotment@bcha.org.uk or telephone 01202 410500.