Aim

Help Green Futures continue to support volunteers as they support us to grow as a project.

About Green Futures:

Green Futures is an environmental social enterprise based in Grimsby. Our 3.5 acre site features a wetland area, orchard, woodland and space to grow produce, providing an escape for people who are as passionate as us about gardening, horticulture, nature and the environment.

What we do:

We grow food for our community and supply fresh produce via a Veg-Box scheme, we also use other local suppliers and promote the sale of local free range eggs, honey, preserves and crafts as well as whole-foods and eco-friendly products. The Veg-Box scheme delivers fresh Fruit and Veg to people's door, we pride ourselves on the quality of our produce and the friendly service we offer.

We are the guardians of the landscape (previously overgrown and derelict for over ten years) growing and nurturing heritage fruit trees and plants. Green Futures has helped to keep the site in the public domain.  The land has been used agriculturally for many years and was once part of the supply chain for Tickler's Jam of Grimsby. We operate the site in an enviromental friendly way and encourage wildlife and wild flowers. We have over 120 different flowers including native hairy buttercups and rare orchids.

Onsite the project works with schools, brownies, cubs and other community groups to teach children where food comes from and how it is grown as well as providing environmental and exploration projects such as pond dipping, looking at wildlife and woodland activities. The landscape provides rare opportunities to explore the great outdoors within a safe environment, children love our 'find 10 exciting things' exercise and the annual Teddy Bears Picnic in the woodland is a great family outing. 

Various workshops are provided onsite throughout the year about gardening, cookery and traditional crafts. In the summer months this year we held monthly Dementia Cafes in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association, a composting course and traditional tool craft workshops as well as regular pop-in coffee mornings and a weekly walking group. 

Why is the future of Green Futures important:

People of all ages and abilities volunteer with the project. Some have varying support needs including mental health issues, learning difficulties and physical health conditions and are referred to us from partner organisations. We have a number of volunteers who are out of work or retired who want to share their trades experience, skills and knowldege.

In the last 2 years we have supported over 90 volunteers, 35 people have done their work experience with us and 90 people have completed work placements, 3 have completed traineeships and 2 long-term volunteers have recently become full time employees at the project. 

Our aim is to be inclusive, creating opportunities for a wide range of people to spend quality time in a tranquil environment, providing meaningful activities, improving people's health and wellbeing. The project provides genuine benefit to people's lives, it supports them to become socially and physically active again, builds confidence and helps to improve overall happiness.

Funding the project:

The project raises a lot of it's own funds from the Veg-Box scheme and sale of goods. It receives a small amount of funding throughout the year. We need to raise £15,000 for Green Futures to continue until March 2016. Funds raised will go towards general project running costs including staffing, utility bills and costs associated with the delivery van. 

Without much needed support we are in real danger of making staff redundant and loosing this quality facility much loved by the local community. 

Please pledge to our Crowdfunder appeal and help us to continue to help others - Thank-you 

Find out more about us: http://greenfuturesgrimsby.co.uk

contact us: 01472 870609

Visit us at: Green Futures, The Vanson Centre, Bradley Road, Grimsby, DN37 0AA

This project successfully funded on 12th February 2016