GROUNDWORK CASE STUDY
GET GROWING
ACCREDITED COMMUNITY GROWING COURSE An accredited community based gardening and volunteering course that helps encourages adults to volunteer in local community activities, including a community owned growing space.
“Loved that we are learning something we can do ourselves at home... Loved EVERYTHING, new friends, new skills, exercise, fresh air, inspiration!” Janet, Particpant from Newton Heath
PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS
10 adults completed Level 1 accredited course ff 2 community gardens improved ff
ff Basic gardening skills developed by all learners ff All learners gained valuable experience in planning and running a community project ff Learners developed a greater knowledge of local community and groups available to them ff Continued community commitment from learners; learners have decided to meet and ‘time-bank’ volunteer on each others’ gardens/ projects ff Previously delivered in Salford (Salix Homes) and in Manchester also using employability units alongside gardening.
COMMUNITY
Groundwork MSSTT Timber Wharf 42 - 50 Worsley Street Castlefield Manchester M15 4LD T: 0161 220 1000 www.groundwork.org.uk /msstt
GROUNDWORK CASE STUDY OUR ROLE ff Recruitment and advertising of course. ff Facilitating the course in a community venue at a time when most interested learners were free. ff Delivering community capacity building training to ensure groups had the skills and knowledge to operate without support in the future. ff Facilitating activities which enable practical learning on topics including action planning, risk assessment, reflection on learning and identifying local people and organisations who could help their ideas come to fruition. ff Engagement of the local community in the transformation of the site: series of group led, planned, practical tasks on two main sites. ff Supporting individual learners to achieve their own learning goals and find similar opportunities in the future. ff Deliver and quality assess delivery of accredited qualification and ensure learners obtain certified award where possible. ff Liaise with local partners including funder to publicise project from recruitment to celebration of success and press.
FUTURE PROSPECTS Additional funding is being secured for a second course in Miles Platting to meet demand from existing learners and a further 15 new learners have expressed an interest. Groundwork has received multiple requests for further similar work from Peak Valley Housing and Salix Homes.
“Loved being part of something bigger than myself” Erica, Participant from Collyhurst
“It was lovely to meet the group and really inspiring to hear just how much they all love the course. See attached the evaluation that the group did last week – there are some amazing comments! ” Amy Davis, Neighbourhood Development Officer, Adactus Housing Association
PARTNERS
For more information contact:
ff Church of the Apostles, Miles Platting Manchester
Deborah Murray Sustainable Communities Manager 0161 220 1000 deborah.murray@groundwork.org.uk
ff Church of the Saviour, Collyhurst