A new community growing and wellbeing facility has opened at a derelict site in Failsworth.
The Grass Roots Oldham Women’s Enterprise (GROWE) has taken over a former council-owned site between Ridgefield Street and Marlborough Drive and is offering residents a place to meet, learn sustainable gardening skills, grow fruit and vegetables, and support the environment.
GROWE is a partnership between the Northern Lily Community Interest Company, which specialises in horticulture, and the charity Support Action for Women Network (SAWN), which supports the welfare of black and African women.
The partnership submitted a business proposal to take on the site that was accepted by the council.
It included retaining the existing community food growing space, protecting an established orchard, and keeping the site as a community asset.
Over the summer groups from across Oldham visited the site and learned how to grow food and harvest fruit, giving them access to organic, locally grown produce at a time when household budgets are tight.
In August employees from social housing provider First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) sprang into action to assist with site preparation, including repairing two 40ft polytunnels which will be used to grow food, through its colleague volunteering programme.
GROWE officially launched last month during the Great Big Green Week - a UK celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.
Rose Ssali, chief executive officer of SAWN, said: “We are passionate about bringing people from all walks of life together in a positive way to boost their wellbeing in nature, learn how to grow food and live sustainably.”
Victoria Holden, director of Northern Lily, added: “Tackling climate change is high on our agenda, giving the community space and skills to grow food locally, whilst developing biodiversity on site helps towards this.”
Council leader, Cllr Amanda Chadderton, said: “Oldham Council are committed to creating a cleaner and greener borough and projects like GROWE are a great example of how residents can come together and do their bit to help themselves and the environment.
“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to support GROWE on their journey, we wish them every success in the future and hope the project will carry on growing to benefit residents of Oldham.”
For more information on the GROWE project email northernlilyuk@gmail.com
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