An update from KET
We have expanded our garden and practical skills provision at Herne Bay and Canterbury during the last 12 months to enable our beneficiaries to walk or cycle to our services which are now open 4 days a week with thanks to donations, sponsorship and funding.
During the year from April 2018 to March 2019 we supported 57 people, 27 of whom were longstanding volunteers who may be retired or long-term unemployed, 18 were new learners who are not in employment, training or education and 13 were students from Kent University seeking work experience, employability points or fresh air and wellbeing.
Both sites are kindly let to us on a peppercorn rent to engage the community in sustainable organic food growing with demonstrations on tool maintenance and repairs in an inclusive space that is accessible to all by providing the following benefits:
- A safe environment for vulnerable and potentially vulnerable people.
- Training and advice from horticulturalists and experienced gardeners.
- Provision of skill and knowledge that will support into gainful employment.
- A site to be used by the community for gardening projects.
- A venue that promotes healthy living, eating and wellbeing.
We extended our outdoor service provision as follows:
- Allotment Gardening at Herne Bay funded by Henry Smith
- Grow Wild at Herne Bay funded by Greggs
- Allotment Gardening at KentCOG funded by Big Lottery
- Community Kitchen at KentCOG funded by West Kent Housing
- Wellbeing Wednesdays at KentCOG funded by University of Kent
- Level 1 Horticulture Traineeships at KentCOG funded by Groundworks
- Level 2 Horticulture Apprenticeships at KentCOG funded by Colyer-Fergusson
- Plant Stall and Tuck Shop to provide retail and cash handling experience at Herne Bay and KentCOG