GardenShare Bristol

gardensharebristol's picture
Project Aim: 
To promote a local food culture and reduce food miles and the dependence on oil. Additional aims: 1. Promote access to fresh locally grown vegetables especially for elderly and disabled people in the community. 2. Promote more active lifestyles by getting more people involved in growing their own food. 3. Promote healthy eating 4. Promote an interest in and a better understanding of food and how it is produced. 5. Help build links between different people in the community and foster a sense of shared future in the neighbourhood.
Date started: 
Mon, 01/06/2009
Public Launch date: 
Tue, 01/09/2009
Project Description: 

GardenShare Bristol are looking for community-minded garden owners and would-be vegetable growers across the city. This local volunteer organisation has recently been set up with the aim of matching people who would like to grow plants and vegetables but don't have the space, with those who lack the time, ability or motivation to use their gardens.

Similar projects are taking place across the country including Brighton, Bath, and Totnes and tend to attract people living in flats, town houses and rented accommodation, who have no access to a garden, but who would love to grow their own.

The benefits for the garden owners include a share of the produce, the pleasure of seeing a developing vegetable plot, and the sense of community in being part of a sharing initiative.

Abbi Gutierrez (27) GardenShare volunteer from Ashton says "Perhaps there are elderly people or people with young kids who don't have the time or ability to look after their garden, but who like to see things grow.”

This initiative will help communities in Bristol to grow more healthy, fresh food locally. It will also help reduce weekly shopping bills during the recession as well as being better for the environment because it reduces the distance that our food is transported. The new friendships that form will help to strengthen our local communities. Autumn is the perfect time for people to begin preparing land for the winter and growing in the spring –sign up today! For more information please see our website: http://gardensharebristol.blogspot.com/

If you would like to get involved contact the team on 07770391531 or gardensharebristol@gmail.com to arrange to meet a local volunteer to find out more and join the scheme.

Inspiration: 
Living in a flat and having no where to grow my own veg.
Outcomes so far: 
We have about 20 people who have registered their interested either as garden owners or would-be growers across the city.
Unexpected outcomes: 
At the moment there is more land available than people who want to use it, we thought it would be the other way around.
Contact email: 
Resources
Images: