Communigrow is a horticultural charity providing educational opportunities and activities for the whole community, including special needs, vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and adults. These young people not only learn about how food is grown in a sustainable environment but benefit through improved communication, self esteem, confidence, team work and prospects for employment.
As well as our young people with special educational needs and disabilities, our beneficiaries include home educated children, family groups, adult groups who are experiencing life transition (retirement, bereavement and health issues), social prescription referrals and schools and clubs. We work in partnership with many local organisations which increases our reach and helps build support in the community.
Everyone who comes to Communigrow has the opportunity to reconnect with nature and learn about growing their own food in a sustainable way and in way that is beneficial to health and well-being. As we distribute the produce in the local community we are always raising awareness of its healthy benefits.
We offer field based sessions to schools and other groups to participate in the full programme of soil preparation, sowing and planting produce, maintenance, harvesting and veg distribution. We provide inspiration that encourages and promotes learning, personal development and achievement for those facing a variety of challenges and vulnerabilities as well as more generally, teaching an understanding of growing food in a sustainable environment.
Our programmes include work experience for those on the pre-employment qualification path and we host a college group of 19 to 25 year old students with learning disabilities that aims to bridge their school experience with the adult world of training and work.
We teach home-educated children, run adult wellbeing groups, host schools and clubs and run nature tots and family workshops and community outreach activities. We hold community events that encourage people to grow their own food and we have a veg box scheme.