Growing Spaces Project Short-Listed in Prestigious Award
Isle of Wight Residents are enjoying the produce of their own hard work thanks to an exciting initiative called Growing Spaces which has recently been recognised in the prestigious ‘What we are proud of awards (SE) 2010’.
The initiative is organised by Medina Housing Association, a member of Spectrum Housing Group, in partnership with Growing Ideas, a local organisation specialising in environmental, education and community projects.
Growing Spaces has received significant levels of funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s Local Food Programme which has enabled raised vegetable beds to be installed into the gardens or communal areas of residents in target neighbourhoods on the Island.
Plants, seeds and compost are provided and participants are supported through the growing season with drop in sessions where they can exchange ideas and top tips and learn gardening and cooking skills. The end of the growing season is celebrated with a community Garden Show in each participating community with competitions and prizes.
Recent findings from the initiative show that 88% of participants have changed their eating habits as a result of growing their own food, with over 80% saying that they had also saved money.
Trudi from Oakfield said: “Myself and my family are doing a lot more together now. We hope it continues and can’t wait to start planting again for next season.”
By the end of May 2010, more than 250 households will be involved in the project.
Maria Wilkinson, Community Enterprise Manager says: “Growing Spaces is a fantastic project. It has enabled us to meet many residents and growing is becoming a real part of the social infrastructure of our communities. I am absolutely thrilled about the project being shortlisted for this award. It is a testament to the power of housing associations getting into communities at a grass roots level and engaging with residents. ”
The ‘What we are proud of awards’ are organised by the National Housing Federation to identify and showcase schemes and initiatives. The winner of the regional ‘What we are proud of awards (SE)’ will be announced in June 2010 at a ceremony in Brighton with the national winner being announced in September. The national winner will receive £1,000 and the highly commended finalist will receive £500. The prize fund is available to the national winner and highly commended finalist to directly reinvest in their winning projects only.
Ends: with photo – The Rimmer Family of Oakfield (Photo copyright: Joe Brown)
About Local Food
Local Food has been developed by a consortium of 15 national environmental organisations, and is managed on their behalf by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT). Supported by the Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces programme, Local Food will distribute grants to a variety of food related projects to make locally grown food more accessible.
About Medina Housing Association
Medina Housing Association, with its headquarters in Newport, Isle of Wight is part of Spectrum Housing Group (formed in July 2007 by the merger of Spinnaker and Signpost Housing Groups).
Medina manages nearly 3,000 homes on the Island including general needs housing for rent, sheltered housing, a leasehold scheme for older people and a Foyer which provides high quality accommodation linked to training and employment access for young adults aged between 16-25.
About Spectrum
Spectrum Housing Group was formed on the 1 July 2007
The Group comprises:
Medina Housing Association, Signpost Housing Association, Signpost Care Partnerships, Signpost Services, Signpost Homes, and Western Challenge Housing Association.
The Spectrum Group owns and manages over 16,000 homes throughout the South, South West and Midlands
The Group’s mission is:
“To be recognised and respected for providing quality homes and housing services and we will do this by empowering people, supporting active communities and building better futures”.