An award-winning organic vegetable farm and mental health charity is opening its gates to community volunteers who want to support it by working in a new Friday Field Day team.
Growing Well, at Low Sizergh, Kendal, runs a mental health support service Monday to Thursday for its beneficiaries, who volunteer one day a week in the farm’s fields or kitchen, and receive additional support to improve their mental health and achieve their goals.
The new Friday community volunteering opportunity is for anyone who wants to learn more about growing vegetables while supporting the charity’s work.
They will run every Friday from 9.30am to 4pm and involve working with Growing Well’s expert growers in the field and polytunnels, doing everything from sowing and planting, weeding and watering, to picking and packing more than 50 types of fruit and vegetables grown on the six-acre organic farm.
No previous gardening or growing experience is required, although community volunteers will need to be fit enough for this type of work. Friday Field Day team members do not need to commit to coming every Friday, and can just work mornings or afternoons if preferred.
Growing Well head of horticulture Paul Cambre said: “Our new Friday Field Days are a fantastic way for the community to get involved with Growing Well.
“It has a real team spirit feel as we all get stuck in, have a good time, learn some horticulture and leave feeling accomplished knowing we have helped to further the aims of the charity. The farm income from the produce that goes into our weekly veg bag ‘Crop Share’ scheme to 100 local families is a vital part of our funding.”
The first Friday Field Day is on June 10. If you are interested in joining or have any questions please email [email protected]
For more information on Growing Well’s Monday to Thursday therapeutic support service then please go to www.growingwell.co.uk/referrers, discuss a referral with your GP or other health professional, or to just find out more email [email protected] or call 07903 013648.
