back to school, back to the garden
The start of a new term and children in our space2grow sessions enjoying the many benefits of an outdoor learning space. All the sessions are busy and thriving; space2play, nurture club, young carer's evenings, teen wellbeing sessions and parenting courses, as well as our regular adult groups of garden volunteering and the men in sheds team. Also a space2grow weekend working party day coming up so lots to get involved in - read more below!
nurturing approach
The weekly nurture afterschool club has returned to the garden. This group supports local children who are facing challenges, providing a crucial restorative space. The summer term was filled with sunshine and smiles. The new bridge across the stream built by the Men in Sheds team leads to the river, allowing extra space to explore. Some of the group insisted that they didn't want to get in the water, but once they were there, they just couldn't resist. Wading through the river they did a big environmental clean up. They loved the freedom and adventure.
Amongst the joy there was also a feeling of change & transition. For some it marked the end of the sessions as they moved onto secondary school. We can see that after a year of attending these sessions that they are ready for new beginnings and new adventures. For those that attended school residential trips, teachers told us that they had shone, tackling every challenge with an unexpected 'have a go' attitude. Read at the end of this newsletter for some feedback from the children themselves. We are incredibly proud of them.
garden teamwork
It's been busy in the garden! The team have a variety of tasks to get stuck into as we enter the Autumn season; from turning compost, clearing the pond, and tidying the fruit cage. The Men in Sheds team have been brilliant in helping with repairs and fixes. We are so fortunate to have such a great group of willing volunteers who get stuck in each week and we appreciate all that they do.
The trees are dripping with apples this year and much of the produce is ripe for picking meaning that children, families and volunteers are all able to go home with lots of bounty. The children enjoy picking the fruit and vegetables to enjoy as snacks in the garden. As well as the apples, pears, courgettes, tomatoes, carrots and much more, we've all been intrigued by the meddlers and quince.
summers on the acre
Over the summer families and members of the space2grow community had the opportunity to book the garden to enjoy privately with friends or with family. A chance to explore, take a picnic and relax in the garden.
It was especially nice for the children to share the garden that means so much to them with family members who may not have visited before. A great summer activity that was free and local.
mayoral celebration
We joined the Mayor and Mayoress of Farnham, Councillor George Murray and Mrs Jacoba Murray for the Farnham's Civic Service at St Andrew’s Church. It was lovely to offer our congratulations in person and be part of an incredibly joyous celebration of the community we live in. So many different community groups were there to cheer on George and Jacoba, they offer such great support and spirit in their roles.
Join our working party - Sat 11th October
We are hosting a space2grow working party!
Date: Sat 11th October
Time: 10-12.30pm & 1.30-4pm (come to a session that works for you - or both!)
What to wear / bring: Comfortable clothes and gloves if you have them but we have lots spare!
RSVP: info@space2grow.space
Please come along if you fancy joining in. An opportunity to give a little back to the garden and it's also nice to be able to invite other family members to see the garden who perhaps are unable to come during the week. If you are interested in getting your hands dirty please email info@space2grow.space and we will add your name to the list. It will be a fun day and many hands make light work!
reflections from the acre...
We love hearing from the children themselves and the children from the nurture club have told us how the regular weekly sessions have helped them. The children reported that coming to space2grow had given them more confidence, helped them relax, make friends and made them happier.
One boy who was very nervous because he is off to a different school than his peers said,
"It has shown me that I can make new friends"
The children also reported that they felt it had developed their ability to focus more at school, encouraged them to spend less time on their electronic devices and connect with nature.
"It has definitely helped me be more confident and relaxed, but it's also helped me with friendships"
The sessions have been very powerful and we thank all those that have made them possible, in particular we would like to thank the Farnham Lions, the Round Table and the Hedgehogs - all who helped maintain this supportive group. One child commented;
"I felt more like myself there than I ever had"
