Growing Healthy Together

Project description:

It was a one year pilot project that was delivered in partnership between Neath Port Talbot CVS, DOVE Workshop and Glynneath Training Centre. The aim of the project was to start developing a thriving food and growing economy in Neath Port Talbot. The aim of the project was to:

• Map current producers and create a directory of local producers/projects
• Design and deliver an innovative pilot programme of community food growing activities/events
• Design and accredit new curriculum - NPT Growers Certificate and learning toolkit, working with Agored Cymru and building on the success of the Growing the Future Project 
• Provide access to training in growing, processing and enterprise skills e.g. healthy eating, food and recipe knowledge, food production, traditional crafts; woodworking etc.
• Create an innovative support network of local producers and community growing projects
• Promote healthy, affordable, locally grown food – through providing a range of opportunities and materials to raise awareness of the benefits of good quality local food, shortening the supply chain and reducing food miles
• Survey available land for growing, develop partnerships with housing associations, private landowners etc
• Establish infrastructure for NPT Community Growing Hub
• Consult local producers and growing projects to assess and report on support needs
• Identify market opportunities within the local tourism economy to sell food and related products
• Expand and trial new volunteering and food enterprise support activities
• Focus on the exploitation of digital technology as a tool for marketing (with a strong emphasis on being ‘Made in Wales’)
• Work with individuals/groups to develop business ideas, including advice and support in areas such as research and development, marketing and promotion, quality and production, selling and distribution

The pilot will assess the best ways of helping disadvantaged groups benefit from supportive community food networks through:

• Extending opportunities for volunteering/learning in community food growing/horticulture
• Building stronger networks for self-help and building of cooperative community enterprises
• Working at ‘grass roots’ to engage with the community and provide supportive learning pathways

What will the project achieve?

The key objectives of the project were the delivery of a feasibility study around community growing and food which could lead to the development of a community food hub and common branding for producers in Neath Port Talbot.

Adding value, facilitating and exploring by mapping existing provision/producers and adding to and strengthening what is already on offer, this will include the production of a directory, and creation of a network. This pilot project is also looking at different ways of doing things. The development of a new NPT Growers Certificate will add value/recognition to work already undertaken by some community members. This project will link with other projects including those funded by Regenerate NPT around tourism and the aim to add to the current offering by linking producers with accommodation providers.

To increase use of local produce to add value and shorten supply chains:

A key aim of the project is to encourage more community growing by identifying suitable sites and working with community members to give them the skills needed to grow/produce in the local community. There will also be events/materials that will highlight the importance of locally produced food and how to reduce food miles.
To encourage and support the development of new enterprises in NPT:
One of the strands of this pilot project is to provide support/advice to those wishing to establish enterprises in the produce sector; this will cover everything from starting-up through to quality, marketing etc.

Vibrant and enterprising:

The aim of this project is to create vibrant rural communities by giving people the information and skills needed for community growing and building on what is already happening

Who are the project beneficiaries?

Local communities

What was the result of your project?  

The project performed well and delivered what it aimed to deliver. However, it was a very complicated project with the partnership delivery and three much larger projects being scaled back to deliver within the identified budget and as one project. The key findings were that there is much activity taking place across Neath Port Talbot on Community Growing and at different levels in the community; however, for it to be scaled up it needs to be co-ordinated. The project identified a number of potential sites for the development of community growing areas however for this to develop there is a need for someone to support groups in their infancy.

There is a need for 1:1 entrepreneur support; however, this needs to be flexible, adaptable, long-term, and also understand that individual needs are very different.A wide range of training courses and activities were provided as part of the project - this included cob building / bottle wall Maesmarchog school. 

What were the challenges?

Changes to the evidence requirements part way through the project including the introduction of different timesheets was difficult and meant lots of work having to re-work claims in an already complex project.

It was a complex project due to the nature of the delivery with the roles of each partner which was made even more difficult through the lack of guidance available.
Three distinct projects reduced in time and money (scaled back) at the request of the LAG has been difficult, one year wasn’t enough to develop the project fully only test the water and gauge the interest in the local community.