A veg box scheme has been launched in West Cumbria by a mental health charity.
Growing Well took over the former Beck Green Nursery in Egremont last year and has enough produce to supply 100 veg boxes a week to the community.
The charity supports adults recovering from severe mental ill health. Up to 72 people can now attend Growing Well each week to access professional one-to-one mental health support, participate in structured horticultural activity, learn transferrable skills and build healthier lives.
Having taken on the lease for the redundant site in autumn 2023, Growing Well staff, local community volunteers and contractors from the nuclear supply chain have revolutionised the space and turned it into a fertile environment for mental health recovery and vegetable production.
The veg boxes contain a minimum of seven items a week, changing with the seasons. Anyone can sign up for a box and collect it weekly from the Beck Green site or from one of Growing Well’s designated collection points across West Cumbria.
Growing Well’s head of horticulture Paul Cambre said: “We delighted to launch our veg box scheme and share the fruits of our collective labour with our local community.
“Throughout each growing year we’ll be working with beneficiaries and volunteers to plant a minimum of 100,000 seedlings, produce over 60 different types of veg and sell all of this to households and wholesale customers.”
Growing Well West Cumbria’s manager, Hannah Wright, added: “Our produce is seasonal, locally-grown, pesticide-free and promotes active mental health recovery. Buying from us supports local people to make sustainable, lasting changes, and live a healthier life. Every penny you spend with us, supports the health of fellow West Cumbrians.”
Sales of Growing Well veg boxes help to fund future support. Growing Well West Cumbria has been supported by the NDA, Copeland Community Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
To sign up for a weekly veg box, email [email protected] or call 07512 316568.
