Beans, Peas & Plums

At Ashley Community Housing we are always looking out for our tenant’s health and well-being, which is why we’ve started a new gardening project called Beans, Peas and Plums. 

This involves transforming the outside space of our tenant’s homes into brand new self-sufficient gardens. 

The first garden that has been chosen to pilot the project is currently growing tomatoes, chilies, peppers, beans and more. The involvement of the tenants in their gardens helps with issues that could affect them such as isolation and depression. 

Benefits 

Mental health of the service users: Studies have shown that “ecotherapy”; that is reconnecting with nature, being outdoors, growing, and participating in a community project, can have significant benefits to mental health. 

Social networking between tenants: This is an opportunity for tenants within and between properties to meet each other and achieve results together, which will help to reduce isolation and make our service users feel more integrated into the wider community. 

New skills for tenants: Participating in this project will give our service users the opportunity to gain practical skills in growing and permaculture. It will build their confidence and help them to enhance their CVs. It will help tenants who have very limited English, and are not yet work ready, because they can be involved with an inclusive project where language is not a barrier. 

Environmental benefits: We aim to grow wild flowers which will attract pollinators to the garden. Adding other features to the garden will promote sustainability, for example the addition of a water-butt to retain water and reduce waste. 

   

Aims & Desired Outcomes

To involve between 10 and 20 tenants and ex-tenants in this gardening project. 

To teach tenants skills/knowledge in the following areas according to their interests: 

Carpentry/Practical Skills – the creation of a wooden bench and raised beds through the teaching of trained carpenters. 

Sustainability/Permaculture – through the presence of permaculture trained community member Jolyon Firth. 

Horticulture/Gardening – through growing and maintaining flowering plants, fruit, vegetables 

Cooking – through cookery/jam making sessions at the end of the project using the produce grown and other foraged foods.

To provide volunteering experience to enhance tenants’ CV’s and give references to participants. 

To provide opportunities for tenants to increase their social network and increase their sense of belonging to the community through participation. 

To increase the environmental standard of the garden. Urban gardens in central Bristol are lacking in biodiversity. Sowing wildflowers and plants and adding features e.g. bird feeders and a bee house will increase the garden’s biodiversity. 

To award certificates for each tenant who completes 8 hours voluntary work towards the project. 

The project is being run by our support worker Naomi, who is working with the tenants to help transform their gardens. Those involved are learning new DIY and gardening skills which they can put to good use in the future.