Brighton & Hove residents will feel the health benefits from more than 70 community gardens around the city this Spring.
THE Brighton & Hove Food Partnership is a non-profit organisation which supports a network of 70 community gardens, where 4,000 people across the city grow food together each year.
Getting involved with the scheme offers many potential benefits, including the opportunity to gain a range of skills and meet new people.
Research has shown that getting outdoors and gardening can also help to boost mental wellbeing, and reduces stress levels. A local study found that 58% of people who volunteered weekly at a garden in Brighton & Hove reported significant improvements to their wellbeing, and 67% reported improved life satisfaction after 3-6 months. An impressive 100% felt that their gardening experience would have a long-term, positive impact on their life.
Volunteer coordinator Jo Glazebrook said: “People are often surprised at how many opportunities there are to get involved in community food growing, and how easy it is to join in. Volunteers give us lovely feedback, telling us how they have benefited mentally and physically, or just how much they have enjoyed their experience. I’d encourage anyone who is considering giving it a try, to just give us a call!”
With over 70 gardens in the city there is something on offer for almost everyone, with many gardens sharing their harvest with volunteers or cooking a shared meal on site during each ‘workday’.
The Food Partnership runs a garden in Preston Park, but the majority of their projects are run independently by community groups, charities and volunteers.
Most of the gardens hold workdays all year round, both during the week and at weekends so that people are able to drop-in once, or attend regularly. The gardens are open to people of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to experienced gardeners.
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