Growing an inclusive kitchen garden for ALL

Aim

To create an inclusive kitchen garden with raised beds, accessible pathways and furniture to support healthy lifestyles & stronger community

***WE ARE RECEIVING MATCH FUNDING - FOR EVERY PLEDGE RECEIVED, AVIVA WILL MATCH IT, E.G. IF YOU PLEDGE £10=£20 FOR US, IF YOU PLEDGE £50=£100 FOR US!***

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Some more information about us: 

Choose Nature CIC was established by Claire Lefevre in January 2021. It was inspired by the desire to overcome some of the inclusivity and accessibility issues surrounding educational and therapeutic support provisions. 

Claire is a proud mum of a six year old girl who has a rare chromosomal condition, which means she has a range of additional needs. Claire is passionate and dedicated to providing her and others with a safe, sustainable and inclusive access to outdoor learning and therapeutic support. 

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, challenges facing vulnerable young people and families have become more complicated and more expensive. Cornwall is one of the poorest regions in Northern Europe and the increasing cost of living is hitting vulnerable families the hardest. Evidence from a recent Disability Price Tag report shows that there is an increased cost of an average £975 per month for children and families with disabilities due to the costs of specialist equipment, energy costs and travel. Thus, one of our primary intentions is to broaden accessibility of outdoor learning opportunities and therapeutic support to all those that need it, offering subsidised places to those in need of financial support.  Hand-in-hand with this is the need to create a safe, accessible community space to support and strengthen opportunities for connections to nature and each other.

Our Aviva community fund project and hopes:

The site has come a long way since 2021, however there is much more to do to make our site as accessible as possible...

Since the aftermath of Storm Eunice, the old damaged poly tunnel had to be removed and left an area of site that is need of restoration and rejuvenation. Thus, with your help, we are seeking funds so that we can create an outdoor kitchen garden that will be accessible and inclusive that will:

- Include raised beds and accessible furniture so that everyone - regardless of ability or age - will be able to grow and harvest edible, medicinal and flowering plants. 

- Incorporate features that will be of benefit to the local wildlife and environment (such as bird boxes, bug hotels, planting for pollinators, install water conservation methods). 

- Landscape and create accessible pathways to connect to the rest of the site, which means produce grown can then be used by all in campfire cooking and community events.

- Build an accessible pizza oven and outdoor kitchen.

- Offer cooking workshops and demonstrations, developing a knowledge of nutrition and basic cooking skills for all the family.

- Increase opportunities to gain new skills and knowledge for young people, families, participants and our wonderful volunteers accessing us and the site. 

- Support individuals' safe learning and enjoyment in nature, whilst benefitting their overall health and wellbeing.

Photos of proposed project area:

We are recycling and reusing wherever possible throughout the site. We are sourcing local materials, planting, donations and support where we can, however… 

WE NEED YOUR HELP!  

Having a safe, communal area will join the site together, with this inclusive outdoor kitchen garden becoming the heart of the site.  Where nature can be observed and nurtured, where individuals' wellbeing can be enhanced and nurtured, and where together we can prepare ourselves and our local spaces for future challenges.

At present we currently have.... our weekly ‘Mamas in Nature’ group (supporting new mums and babies as transition into parenthood)... our ‘Making Tracks’ group (supporting young people who identify as neurodiverse and/or with additional needs).... our monthly Dangerous Dads group (supporting male figures/carers and their children).... events supporting charities, such as Action for Children.... collaborative sessions with other organisations, such as TALKmoreCORNWALL CIC teaching and encouraging the use of Makaton signing....  volunteering opportunities through our developing volunteer programme....  successful Nurture Programme provision – supporting children's emotional wellbeing and thus overall development to reintegrate into education and community....

In the future we hope to offer more groups, increase our therapeutic support provisions, host more collaborative events, and continue to develop the site with the community for the community.

Testimonials:
“Kieran* attended Choose Nature sessions everyday as part of his alternative provision in Y6. We had tried everything else, including surfing, horse riding and art therapy all lasted just a few sessions. Due to his attachment disorder he was unable to make successful relationships and was not making any progress, academically, emotionally or socially in school. Over the year we were delighted to see an increase in his ability to take part in all aspects of school life and more able to regulate and manage his own feelings.”
 (Head teacher, 2021). *names have been changed to protect identity.

“Absolutely outstanding provision and I genuinely couldn’t recommend highly enough. My daughter received a five week, bespoke alternative education provision programme and I was completely overwhelmed by the change in her confidence and self-esteem.”
 (Parent of a child accessing Nurture Programme)

“All Forest School leaders and assistants are amazing with the children. The children look up to them as role models and a safe pace to confide. I would recommend Claire and her team without hesitation” (J.Povey, parent and home ed family) 

“Fabulous day – felt restored and connected afterwards! Professionally run and a good mix of fun, relaxation and crafting. The day was affordable and good value for money. I will definitely be attending future events” (C Kinsey-Jones attendee at Well Woman Day) 

To conclude:
 We feel this is the perfect time for Choose Nature to take on new exciting challenges as there has never been a more important time to support young people and families, particularly those who are already vulnerable and in need of support with their confidence, wellbeing and self-esteem.

Outdoor service providers are seeing a growing trend of increased numbers to green spaces. However, we know that there are still many barriers reducing opportunities to safely and effectively access the outdoors. We have a vast body of evidence to prove that we feel better when we spend time outdoors and believe that Choose Nature is at the forefront of a movement to create healthier, accessible and inclusive society through the power of nature.

We have never felt more passionate about providing a space where people can feel safe, where they can explore, create, connect with others, learn, play and just ‘be’.

  Thank you for your time in learning more about us and considering our proposals so that accessing the outdoors and nature can truly be for all.

“No-one will protect what they don’t care about and no-one will care about what they have never experienced.” (David Attenborough)

This project successfully funded on 12th January 2024