Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust has launched a Grow Your Own Project on NHS Sustainability Day 2013. The project will provide organic produce to 131 service users on their Guild Park site. As part of their recovery process, 33 service users will be given the opportunity to develop their cooking skills using produce from the garden.
The scheme has already supplied the new, self-catering Step Down Unit with local, seasonal and fresh vegetables and fruit. This has been a great success and has been achieved entirely through staff volunteering their spare time.
The project’s mission is to provide opportunities for service users and staff to grow food and increase their physical activity whilst acting positively. It also provides an opportunity to get to know each other, learn from each other and produce a productive and beautiful area.
The green space will be developed through the installation of polytunnels, honeybee hives, a covered training area and a composting toilet.