RainbowBiz launch “Digging Deeside”
A Flintshire based Social Enterprise RainbowBiz recently launched their latest community project called “Digging Deeside”. RainbowBiz have secured a raised bed style community allotment at Connah’s Quay Community Allotments. “Digging Deeside” is a new project which will be group run by volunteers and facilitated by project leaders. The project was created as a green outdoor activity to promote healthy lifestyles by learning to grow vegetables and herbs in a safe social environment.
Project Leader Sarah Way said “We will particularly welcome individuals who are at risk of isolation in the community as this project will be a safe place to meet new friends. Anyone is welcome to join us at the Connah’s Quay Community Allotments (located behind the Job Centre). We meet every Wednesday between 10am and 12noon. Activities include planting, researching plants, making plant supports, perennial plant and herb planting, composting, recycling and making new friends.”
Once the allotment has been planted out for the first season, volunteers will be encouraged to maintain the plot, water plants and eventually harvest vegetables when ready. It is hoped that some of the produce can be entered into our local “Fruit and Vegetable Show” at the end of August.
RainbowBiz Director Sue Oliver told us “We are extremely grateful to Connah’s Quay Town Council who have supported RainbowBiz during the setup of this project and we are looking forward to working with them on many other community based events.”
Connah’s Quay Town Council Clerk, Ian Jones said “The Town Council is delighted that ’Digging Deeside’ has been so popular and the results at the allotment site speaks volumes for this innovative community based scheme. With modern day pressures and stress it is important that people find time to relax with a hobby or pastime that they enjoy.
Gardening is a British way of life and this project not only provides a hobby with the prospect of success when the produce is grown, it also provides good community spirit and social interaction. We hope some produce will be entered into the Flower Fruit and Vegetable Show being held in the Civic Hall on 29 August.”
Next door to the allotment plot there is a community garden which requires some maintenance throughout the year, volunteers will be encouraged to help maintain the garden for the benefit of the community. This will bring a sense of ownership and pride to the volunteers as they will see it as a beautiful green space they have helped to create for local people to enjoy. Digging Deeside are also looking for skilled volunteers to help build an accessible work space area for people with different abilities to use. The project also welcomes donations of unwanted tools, gloves, seeds, plants and are specifically looking for a greenhouse and shed. Please contact RainbowBiz who co-ordinate this project on 07759 753 473 or email digging@rainbowbiz.org.uk
Jill Blandford, Volunteer Co-ordinator said “Step Up, Step Out is a supported volunteering project, run by Flintshire Mind and Flintshire Local Voluntary Council. We go out every Tuesday as a group and sample a whole variety of volunteering opportunities throughout the country. Individuals gain confidence to then continue to get involved in local projects themselves. It has been great fun being part of Digging Deeside from the outset, helping prepare the raised bed and start planting. Individuals can get involved as much or as little as suits them. There is opportunity to skills share, but most importantly to relax in a beautiful spot and have fun. The community allotment is like an oasis of calm in an urban environment.”
To find out more information you can follow all of the latest updates on Facebook www.facebook.com/diggingdeeside Twitter @DiggingDeeside or Email digging@rainbowbiz.org.uk