The Growth Project celebrates another year

Deputy Mayor, Surinder Biant, and Deputy Mayoess, Cecile Biant, with members of The Growth Project

The Growth Project, a joint initiative between Hourglass and Rochdale and District Mind, has recently completed its seventh growing season.

Throughout the season the project took 88 referrals with, on average, 18 people attending per day.

A spokesperson for the project said: “Our aim is to help people on their road to recovery by developing a restorative setting, which offers individuals an opportunity of a place where they can become revitalised and refreshed and that fosters recovery from mental fatigue.”

The Growth Project intends to promote mental and physical health and well-being through beneficiaries working with nature in a natural setting.

The project produces a huge quantity and range of crops per year - the varieties and types of which are influenced by the likes and dislikes of the volunteers.

Throughout the past season the project has developed a sense of community through participating in the RHS North West in Bloom awards, where the group achieved an ‘outstanding’ award, hosting barbecues on site, open days and social gatherings.

A new covered woodworking area has been designed and built by a group of members. The members are now working on building a pergola walk.

Members have also engaged in more arts and craft related activities, including painting their projects containers with a garden scene, decorating sings and taking part in a name the plot competition.

The group bid for and was accepted to deliver a contract to build a living willow sculpture at a Manchester primary school, which was completed in February.

The group spokesperson added: “All these things have promoted the mental health and physical health of the group through the provision of opportunities for physical activity, social contact, development of a daily routine and development of skills has increased both self-esteem and confidence. We do not see our volunteers as service users but workers or gardeners without a label.”

The Growth Project has also spent the past year working with The National Flood Forum, the EA and the Forestry Commission, Accessible Edibles and Rochdale Township in Bloom.

The spokesperson said: “It has been a very positive year in the life of the Growth Project, with the project continuing to develop and grow. Its popularity has also increased with more beneficiaries accessing our services this year than last.”