GROWERS HUB
HORTICULTURAL THERAPY ~ ALLOTMENTS ~ GROWING GROUPS ~ MENS SHEDGrowing opportunities for all
The Growers Hub has been evolving since 2014. What was a bit of bare forestry wasteland has been turned into a thriving community of growth.
The first project to be funded was the Green Growers Project which was funded by the Climate Challenge Fund. Our Community Allotments began with three polytunnels built by the community for the community. Our first polytunnel was in fact constructed by students and tutors of the Crofting and Countryside Skills course which is delivered by the UHI, West Highland College. The main aim was to reducing our carbon usage by growing our own food locally rather than our salads travelling hundreds of miles fro example.
We were fortunate to get a second and third grant from the Climate Challenge Fund, which included funding from the European Regional Development Fund, this allowed us to develop the allotments further with more polytunnels, raised beds, woodland cabin and a wood re-use facility. We were also able to fund a Greener Broadford Project Officer, Janet Ullman, who successfully ran a number of events and workshops for the local community. Importantly raising awareness of how to reduce your Carbon footprint through a number of simple, innovative and creative ways. This work is carrying on but on a volunteer basis.
2018 saw everything come together up with the formation of the Growers Hub. The National Lottery Community Fund awarded a five year grant which has enabled us to have a Growers Hub Coordinator. Nicholas has been able to concentrate on developing the Hub and introducing new participants to the Hub such as the Men’s Shed, building new allotment plots for the community members, and continuing young people growing groups. Judy has been a huge part of this development with the inception of the Flourish group which provides horticultural therapy. The Growers Hub is about continuing our environmentally friendly approach as well as focussing on the wellbeing of the community.
For more information please contact Nicholas Kelly, Growers Hub Coordinator or Judy Finlay, Horticultural Therapist:
nicholas@broadfordandstrath.org / 07572 655 433
KEY FACTS
Time frame: 2014 – Present
Funding: £301,460
Location: Broadford Community Woodland
Benefits to the community: Reducing the carbon footprint of Broadford & Strath. Providing a healthy and safe environment for members from across the community to grow their own produce.
FUNDERS:
Climate Challenge Fund by Keep Scotland Beautiful
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
The National Lottery Community Fund
FROM OUR GALLERY
A view of the site
The polytunnels and raised beds
Framing the polytunnel
Volunteers building the frame for the first polytunnel.
Winter time
Flourish Fun
Sweet Pea Stand made by the High School Group
Growers Hub
Weeding hard at Flourish
Delivery of fresh food to School Kitchen
The Green Growers Polytunnels
Behold the allotments
Clearing the site
Preparations to level the site ready for polytunnels and raised beds.
Raised Beds
Volunteers building raised beds.
Sweet Pea stand produced by High School Group and Mr Dorman
High Schoolers looking at their produce
The Allotment’s water boy with his own produce
School growing Group Veg tub
Break TIme
New P7’s grwoing group
Potting on the Tomatoes
West Highland Collage Student Building our Fire pit area
Proud UHI Students
The finished tunnel, a job well done by UHI’s crofting students.
Saltire Award Winners
Boys from the High School with their certificates for volunteering.
Tea Time at Flouish
