Growing Spaces - Island communities growing (and winning) together

Growing Spaces is a community based raised bed project on the Isle of Wight delivered by Medina Housing Association and Growing Ideas. In its first year the Growing Spaces project helped 49 households in Pan to grow their own fruit and vegetables. It was so successful that Medina Housing, after winning funding through the Big Lottery Local Food Grants Scheme extended the project up to the end of 2010. Growing Spaces has installed nearly 250 raised beds since March 2009 and have had a further Big Lottery funding award to enable delivery to continue for three years beyond 2010.

Growing Spaces has also won a prestigious award in June 2010 - Growing Spaces was one of three regional finalists presenting their project for the ‘What We Are Proud Of’ awards from the National Housing Federation, which celebrate the exciting work that is going on in local communities. The National Housing Federation received a record number of entries for this year’s awards, and the shortlists were selected by an independent panel of tenants. The winners from the nine regional awards will go forward to compete for the national trophy in September.

Medina Housing Association Managing Director, Martyn Pearl says: “We are delighted to have won this award in the face of strong competition from a number of excellent projects. Growing Spaces has really made a difference to people, improving the quality of lives and cementing the relationships within local communities. It has also changed for the better the way that residents in our neighbourhoods view and engage with Medina. This is one of those simple ideas which makes a big impact and leaves an enduring legacy. It is something about which we are truly proud.”

Follow this link to see the What We Are Proud Of press release.

We want to recruit 75 new households from Pan and the Oakfield and Elmfield areas of Ryde for 2010-2011. You don’t have to be a Medina resident. If you live in a flat, we will put your bed in the communal areas. If you sign up, Growing Spaces will give you:

• a purpose-built raised bed in your garden filled with soil and compost
• seeds and plants, and all the information you need to look after them
• a training programme with drop-in sessions, an advice line, website information and information leaflets
• the chance to share your knowledge and experience with others.

At the end of each growing season, we will hold a community-based Garden Show with competitions, prizes, and a chance to meet other people involved in the project. If you want to take part in Growing Spaces during 2010 please send us an email via the link below. Don’t delay - places are limited, and it will be first come, first served!

Click here to see some photos from 2008's highly succesful Growing Spaces project, or here to see our first evaluation DVD on YouTube - made by Sassy Productions. The latest DVD, also by Sassy Productions, can be viewed by clicking here.

We're starting to put together a project Blog - click here to have a look. If you'd like to become one of our Project Bloggers please get in touch via the phone number or email link below.

Click on this link to send us an email:
If you have any questions, contact Maria Wilkinson, Medina’s Community Enterprise Manager, on (01983) 824265

You can download a PDF copy of the sign up leaflet by clicking here. A series of free supporting leaflets with advice, recipes and helpful reminders will be developed as the project progresses (click here for the Downloads page).

This website is an ongoing support tool for the Growing Spaces project and will be regularly updated (on a relatively ad hoc basis).