Local food education charity expands impact with new bereavement project

Last summer, Kent housebuilder, David Wilson Homes, dedicated a week of volunteering to local organisations close to its The Poppies development in Maidstone, including local food education charity, Communigrow, which has helped pave the way for a new bereavement project.

During the housebuilder’s volunteering at Communigrow, the team helped to revamp and construct three show garden areas with dimensions that replicate the outdoor space available in new homes built locally.

Communigrow is a dynamic charity working with beneficiaries across Kent, focusing on three core areas: sustainable food growth, community volunteering and education via its Field School. The charity demonstrates to children, young people and adults how to grow fresh food in a chemical free, sustainable way, benefiting physical and mental wellbeing in harmony with the natural environment.

With these gardens now in full swing, Communigrow has dedicated them to beneficiaries, including its newly created Garden Gate Bereavement Group which uses them as a place for therapeutic gardening practice. The new project is a free two hour session on Friday mornings, for people who feel that a community gardening experience may help them in their time of loss.

The gardens have also recently been opened to local residents interested in learning about small scale food growing and climate change resilience. The aim of these gardens is to connect local residents with the natural world, including engaging families with fresh food growing.

Sheena Field, Operations Manager at Communigrow, said: “The new gardens that David Wilson Kent helped construct have worked wonders for us at Communigrow, opening a range of opportunities including the new Garden Gate Bereavement Group. The new project is a fantastic chance for anyone experiencing loss to come together with others who are going through a similar experience, all whilst partaking in some gardening. It is proven that therapeutic gardening has positive effects on both physical and psychological health, as it is a great way to feel relaxed and at one with nature.

“The new gardens have also already been a success with local residents who are keen to learn about growing their own produce at home, so we are excited for the warmer months where we expect to see a rise in interest in this opportunity! We are really looking forward to seeing how these new gardens can support with future projects and we hope for now that we can provide as much support as possible for those who need it.”

Natalie Perry, Director of Sales & Marketing at David Wilson Kent, comments: “It is fantastic to hear how the team’s volunteering has helped with Communigrow’s new projects, especially when it comes to supporting those who need it most. Going through loss is one of the most challenging things to experience, so I am sure that Communigrow’s new bereavement project will really help in supporting those who require this service.

“I am pleased to see that local residents are also using Communigrow’s services to educate themselves on how to grow fresh produce. It’s a vital opportunity for families that live nearby to get involved during the school holidays to teach children the importance of home grown food!”

David Wilson Homes Kent is currently selling a selection of three and four bedroom homes at The Poppies, with prices starting from £464,995. There are a number of incentives available on select homes, including Part Exchange and the Key Worker scheme.