Comments from our participants
Feedback on working with BCEP Grow Organic team:
"I cannot praise BCEP enough. They're totally committed to the children and the work they do." Primary school teacher
“Excellent, reliable and full of good ideas and advice for me to learn from.” Primary teacher
“I couldn’t have wished for a more flexible and sensitive approach to clients with often multiple personal and social issues.” Voluntary sector project worker
"I confess to being highly impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication and pleasure that the projects encourage."
"A precise and well-aimed approach ensured a pleasurable and efficient experience." Manningham in Bloom judge
"Love you all and enjoy working with such a positive crew!!!"
"Always giving clear instructions which are simple so that the children are able to understand and enjoy themselves." Primary school teacher
Feedback on benefits to childen:
"They have always looked forward to coming and have passed on their knowledge to other children. Furthermore, lots of the children now help their parents in their garden. We have had an increase of children eating fruit and vegetables in our tuck shop at breaktime." Primary school teacher
“I was amazed at how such simple activities as digging weeds out of a veg patch could keep 5-7s occupied in the freezing cold for so long.” Community Health worker
"The childen and adults obviously
thoroughly enjoyed themselves planting the garden, and this is
particularly important in an area where many housed have little outside
space." Library development worker (Visitors to the library are also encouraged to harvest and eat the produce.)
“This has been a brilliant project . . . It has given the children in my class exercise, taught them about healthy living and eating, given opportunities for positive social interaction and has been great fun!” Primary school teacher
“The children really love it and have so much confidence in gardening. They respect what we grow and also love to eat what they have produced.” Reception teacher
“The children’s’ enjoyment of gardening both in school and at home has increased. Excellent feedback so far on the ‘parents’ time introduced to skill up parents. Excellent!” Primary teacher
“The parents want to learn more about growing their own fruit and vegetables. We are looking to get our own plot of allotment for the centre.” Nursery and children’s centre
Feedback on benefits to adults:
“Projects like these are fantastic. I love gardening and I don’t have a garden at home so I really enjoy coming here. My family loves the apples which we take home. All the fresh produce tastes so much better than shops.”
“I was bored at home. I didn’t do anything. I have made new friends.”
“Do you remember when my son sowed some chilli at that event (International Women’s Day)? It’s gone that big . . he looks after it and he is very proud of the progress and he checks it every day you know!”
“It has helped me lower my blood pressure, diabetes. We take fresh produce home.”
“I have enjoyed the gardening sessions. I have shown people how to do gardening. I have experience of growing. I want to come to sessions and do more.”
“All women who have attended have commented on how it helps them relax, forget their problems and how they feel healthier after the session due to fresh air and exercise.” Voluntary sector support worker
Feedback from members of regular groups on personal benefits:
"I always look forward to the gardening sessions. I love the fresh air - I’m always tensed at home, this relaxes me and I enjoy chatting to my friends."
"[X] recommended this group to me, I have high blood pressure and I feel tired all the time, at home I always go to sleep, don’t do much of exercise, now I have joined the group I feel so much better in myself."
“I am glad I came, I’ve learned something about planting seeds. Let’s hope these grow better than the ones I’ve tried before at home!”
“I always feel better when I come out into the fresh air, just moving about, you know, makes everybody feel better. Plus we are getting the healthy exercise. It’s good now that the weather is getting a bit warmer, it is so lovely to be outside”.
“I’ve enjoyed finding out about the different ways of growing vegetables. It’s interesting to compare it to how we grow food in the Caribbean”.
“I’m from a farming background, so it’s like going back to what I know. I also enjoy being outdoors in the fresh air and doing physically hard work”.
"It's a peaceful place and I’m learning new stuff all the time”.
“I really enjoy the allotment sessions because we have a good laugh!”
Feedback from one-off community events:
Planting up a container
'Is that all you do? It's as easy as that!'
'I really enjoyed that. Can't wait to do it with the children!'