Grow & Eat

Are you an individual or community group interested in utilising public spaces for food production and improving community health? Or perhaps you represent an organisation with unutilised land seeking to contribute to your community’s well-being?

If you’ve answered YES, keep reading! 

A collaborative venture by North Tyneside VODA with support from Public Health and Active North Tyneside, Grow & Eat empowers communities across the region to effectively utilise available spaces, both public and private, for food growing and enhanced physical and mental health.

The project’s primary objectives are:

• Identification of suitable spaces: This includes outdoor areas in community centres, business-owned land, and unutilised public land with potential for food cultivation.
• Skills development: Grow & Eat offers training and development opportunities to groups and individuals, covering diverse growing methods, sustainable practices, indoor and vertical growing techniques, and more.
• Community support: The project facilitates the formation of new community groups and assists both new and existing groups in securing funding for their projects.
• Collaboration and knowledge sharing: Networking opportunities are provided for groups to share experiences and support each other’s endeavours.
• Mental and physical health awareness: Grow & Eat actively raises awareness about the numerous physical and mental health benefits associated with gardening.
• Alignment with local initiatives: Where appropriate, the project supports North Tyneside Council’s Healthy Weight Declaration commitments.

If you are a business, community centre or charitable organisation:

Do you have some outdoor space that’s in need of a bit of TLC? Would you like to welcome volunteers and community groups in your space that will keep it looking vibrant and healthy while they grow food for themselves and their communities? Grow & Eat gives you the opportunity to make a difference in your community. 

If you are part of a community group or would like to start a community group to grow some food:

Do you need help setting up your group or is your existing group looking to access some funding for the purpose of starting or advancing your food growing journey? Grow & Eat can help you achieve your goals.  

If you are a volunteer looking to get involved with the Grow & Eat project:

Do you have skills and time to share with the groups as they set on creating their community growing spaces? Volunteering is an excellent way to get involved with your community, get a sense of achievement, meet like-minded people and earn experience and skills in a new area.  

If you would like to know more, please click on the button below and complete the expression of interest form, or contact:

• Vicky Batsioudi, Grow & Eat Development Worker. Mobile: 07543 796421 or Email: Vicky.Batsioudi@voda.org.uk

The Garden Network of North Tyneside aims to:

1. Connect community gardens and other charitable growing projects in North Tyneside and the wider area so that they can support and learn from each other, share best practices and collaborate.
2. Provide training opportunities to its members and, depending on capacity, to their beneficiaries.
3. Promote the joy and value of horticulture and engaging with nature to the residents of North Tyneside.
4. Connect with similar networks locally and nationally.
5. Align with the values of sustainability, fairness and equitable access to nature (green spaces for all)
6. Amplify the voice of food-growing and nature-focused projects and organisations.

By joining the Network, you have the benefits of regular networking events, access to free support and guidance, free training opportunities, access to resources and the chance to have your voice heard while contributing to something bigger. Click the button below to complete the application form.