space2play in the garden
Our new initiative, space2play, is in full swing with local families enjoying nature based activities in the garden. The sessions follow the principles of Forest School, supporting the emotional and physical development of pre-school children through outdoor play, activities and exploration. The aim is to help create resilient, confident, independent and creative learners, ready to start their school journey.
Thanks to support from the Waverley Borough Council Thriving Communities Fund space2grow are able to offer fully-funded places to local families who would otherwise not be able to access this type of activity.
Pond dipping, painting, making muddy meals in the mud kitchen, story time and exploring the garden are just some of the child-led activities enjoyed at space2play!
We're so happy to be sharing the magic of the space2grow garden with young families. Here's what parents had to say about their experiences at space2play:
"Thanks for another absolutely lovely morning in the ‘secret garden’ as we now call it. A tonic for the soul!"
"This is the first stay and play group I've been to where I actually feel calm and relaxed when I leave!"
Snack time for our hungry mini explorers includes seasonal fruit and veg straight from the garden and this week the children picked raspberries and apples to share.
Sessions take place 9am - 11am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during school term time.
For more information and to book please email play@space2grow.space.
supporting teenage wellbeing in the garden
The new school term means a new group of students from Farnham Heath End School joining us for weekly sessions. The sessions, funded by Waverley Borough Council's Thriving Communities Fund, are designed to give the students time in a nature based environment, supporting their wellbeing and resilience. Since the pandemic school attendance across the UK has dropped significantly and programmes like this one are helping young people get back into the classroom and get on with their lives.
The latest project for the groups is the creation a willow den for the younger children who visit the acre to enjoy.
Everybody loves the mud kitchen! We love seeing how much the mud kitchen is enjoyed by children of all ages.
awards success!
A huge thank you to all of our volunteers for their hard work being recognised by awards from South & South East in Bloom. We maintained our Outstanding award in the 'It's Your Neighbourhood' category and achieved a Silver Gilt award in the Our Community category.
And congratulations to Farnham Town Council and all the volunteers involved in making Farnham bloom. Farnham won 9 gold awards with 5 best in category!
reflections from the acre
Libby, our volunteer garden lead has decided to move on from space2grow and we'd like to say a massive thank you to Libby for sharing her time, knowledge and kindness in the space2grow garden over the years. We will miss her energy, enthusiasm and empathy and wish her well for all that she does in the future. She has promised to come back and visit so we will see her soon!
Here are Libby's reflections from the acre.........
"I bought yet another Gardening book just last week - The Organic Garden, Green and Easy by Allan Shepherd - and was amazed to read the following under the heading ‘10 principles of organic gardening’ as it resonates so much with what I feel space2grow is all about."
'One: create space
Space: as in, a place to be. Gardeners grow flowers and vegetables and fruit and herbs and trees and shrubs, but overall these things they create space. They bring together, disparate elements and make something whole and beautiful. They learn which combinations of plants and materials work well together and which don’t. They appreciate how space can change the way we feel, defining our moods, inspiring and enchanting us. We know when we have stepped into a beautiful garden space, we can see how much love and work has been dedicated to it.’
"It has been a privilege to volunteer at space2grow over the last few years. The garden is a magical space with a unique atmosphere and spirt. It feels as if the space itself has a way of bringing people together in the gardening and stewardship of it, helping us to bond with each other as we weed and plant, growing and restoring ourselves as we tend the garden. Being close to nature in its sanctuary reaffirms that we are part of nature not separate from it and the lessons we learn from gardening together are lessons in life. I would like to say a huge thank you to all who work and volunteer at space2grow for your company, friendship and hard graft and for all the fun we have had together sharing stories and experiences, celebrating achievements and attending some very special events. I wish you all the very best for the future - grow well and prosper!"
