Rochdale Food Growing Initiatives
1. Introduction
The aim of this initiative was to help improve people’s health, both mental and physical well-being, through involvement in projects relating to outdoor activities, access to green spaces and exercise, and to fresh organic food.
Through involvement in these projects local people have had the chance to develop new skills and confidence. BTCV (previously known as British Trust for Conservatives Volunteers) delivered the project as it has the capacity to offer volunteers a range of formal and informal training in a variety of subject areas, and offer opportunities for life long learning.Involving a broad section of the local community in the projects has enabled development of excellent community links.
2. Objectives and Purpose of Initiative
The key objectives of this initiative are:
- To develop community pride, through a sense of achievement and ownership of specific projects, increased motivation and building confidence, personal and social skills.
- To encourage food-growing projects through a variety of means e.g. working with schools and community groups, developing a community garden and renting a council allotment.
- To achieve health improvements through exercise and improved diet.
3. Participants
Rochdale MBC, BTCV, & NHS Trust. The following Local Authority Departments were involved in the setting up and running of the project: environmental health, education, sure start, planning, regeneration, Local Agenda 21 and neighbourhood renewal.
4. Methodology & Resourcing
The projects took place in an area of high dependence on benefits, overcrowded housing and associated poor health especially heart disease and type ii diabetes.
Environmental health officers and BTCV staff worked on drawing up a work programme. The projects are delivered in conjunction with the Council’s Environmental Improvements Programme.
The initiative was funded through the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB).
The first step for the initiative was to apply for SRB funding. This was a time consuming process with a steep learning curve for those involved. The team provided details of the health impact assessment and poverty associated health problems as part of the application. This was essential for the SRB assessment team to understand the benefits of the project.
When setting up the project Rochdale officers found it useful to visit a similar project in a Local Authority nearby.
To ensure effective management of the initiative by all partners the initiative has a steering group. The steering group consists of the project coordinator from BTCV and their line manager, an officer from the environmental health department and an officer from planning department.
Projects completed:
- Indoor Food Growing activities: this involved an elders group and ran from November 2000-June 2001
- Pizza, Chips, and Beans Garden: this involved South Street Nursery and ran from November 2000 – July 2001
- Salad Gardening: this involved Thames Street Nursery Parents Group and ran from February 2002 – June 2002
- Supporting School Growing Project: this involved St Peters School Nursery School and ran from March 2002 – April 2002
- Young Gardeners Clubs: this involved the Freehold Housing Association and ran from October 2001 – January 2002
- Spring Workshops: this involved Freehold, Wardleworth Council and ran from April 2001 – May 2001
Ongoing Projects:
- Establishing a Community Garden: this involves Zetland Place and has been running from November 2000.
- Weekly Food Growing Workshops: this involves Zetland Place and has been running from March 2001.
- Young Gardeners Clubs: this involves Wardleworth – Kellet Street Allotment and has been running from October 2001.
- Indoor and Patio Gardening Sessions: this involves Petrus and has been running from November 2001.
- Greenfingers Challenge Club: this involves Oakenrod School and has been running from December 2001.
- Healthy Eating Garden Project: this involves G.A.P – Greenbank, All Saints and St Patrick’s School and has been running since May 2002.
- Food Growing Project Support Sessions: this involves Pennine View and has been running since June 2002.
5. Evaluation
It is hard to assess the health benefits of the projects as the initiatives involve lifestyle changes for the community – which will be achieved over a longer period of time.
6. Lessons Learned
More knowledge and training is needed regarding applying for funding, monitoring outcomes and keeping accounting records.
The use of an external agency to deliver the project worked very well as BCTV were able to utilise voluntary workers to coordinate and run some of the growing projects.
Working with communities on environmental projects requires a mix of skills – the main focus being community development but also some environmental skills.
Consultation is a very valuable exercise and the methods used for consultation must be tailored to the needs of the group. It is often easy to work with the usual suspects so every effort is needed to reach out and engage the wider community.
Do not rush into delivering projects; listen to what groups/individuals want first. It is important to know cultural differences and understand barriers individuals/groups may face.
Community groups often work at a different pace to that expected (by project workers and funders.) Projects can sometimes seem slow to progress. It is not possible to do/achieve everything you are asked to or would like to. Be realistic as to what you can achieve.
There have been lots of interest and enthusiasm within Rochdale’s communities for these projects. There has been a lot of demand for environmental youth work and gardens clubs.
Allow time to celebrate and promote achievements.
7. Future Developments
SRB funding is due to run out in April 2004. Coventry is hoping to extend the project through additional SRB funding and are also exploring the possibility of European funding.
It is felt that it will be some time before the allotments become self managed. At present there is a full time allotment mentor to motivate and increase interest and also give advice and guidance.
8. Special Circumstances
The project worked well in an area where people do not have much space of their own to grow food and particularly in an area with a high population from South East Asia with agricultural backgrounds. The work would probably not be as successful where people have big gardens.
9. Contacts
Name: Penny Aldred
Job Titile:Environmental Health Officer
Address:
Environmental Health Service - Planning & Regulation Services
PO Box 32,
Telegraph House,
Baillie Street,
Rochdale,
OL16 1JH 32
Telephone – 01706 864 150