Nestuda House Potting Day
Last week we held a potting day for residents at one of our sheltered schemes, Nestuda House. The Mayor of Southend joined us and, in between getting to know some of the residents, potted her own plant to take home. We can’t wait to see how it grows over the coming weeks!
Each resident was invited to plant their own dwarf green bean seeds to then take back to put on their windowsills and look after. Gavin Wilson, from Southend Borough Council and founder of Productive Plots Southend, provided advice and guidance to make sure residents can give their plants the very best care. The seeds grow quite quickly, and soon residents will have the opportunity to taste their own hard work!
From a sustainability point of view, there is a great environmental benefit from encouraging people to nurture plants and grow their own food. However, this project also hopes to have a personal impact on residents. Gavin Wilson said “45% of the UK’s food is imported which contributes significantly to climate change, and modern society has led to many experiencing social isolation, mental health issues, food poverty, and malnutrition. This project aims to address these problems through encouraging people to grow their own food.”
It is expected to be a therapeutic process for each resident to care for their plant and watch it grow, we hope that they will enjoy the growing process and the mental stimulation that comes out of waking up each morning to see progress. The residents will also feel a great sense of achievement when it comes to finally eating their green beans, something they have put their own time and effort into!
One of the residents told me that she was going to put her plant on her windowsill and a friend is going to help her to take care of it, alongside other plants. Gavin added that the project promotes “mixing and building bonds between neighbours, encouraging exercise, working together, and provides local, nutritious, pesticide free food, without the need for packaging, refrigeration, and unnecessary carbon being emitted during transport.”
Our sheltered housing officers are looking forward to opportunities in the future to carry out more projects similar to this one, so that more of our residents can become involved and reap the rewards of growing their own vegetables.