Growing for Change, an Organic Market Garden based at Moelyci Farm, just outside Bangor, is a project specifically for anyone in recovery from substance misuse and/or mental ill health. 

 

 

The name reflects three things the social enterprise care passionately about and want to change:

Growing for Change want to change the local food economy so that nutritious, organic produce is grown and available locally, at affordable prices.

Changing lives. The project is open to anyone who has experienced substance misuse or mental ill health and wants meaningful change. This change is encouraged through support, mutual aid, teamwork and fun!

Change the stigma surrounding people who have experienced long term substance misuse and mental ill health. This can be achieved by running a successful business and contributing to our local community.

Growing for Change is a Community Interest Company (CIC) and not-for-profit, with 100% of  revenue going back into the project.  The directors are Paul Gordon-Roberts Head Grower and Horticultural Therapist, Aeronwy Williams, Assistant Manager at Bwyd Da Bangor, and Sarah Currie Grower.

The project began over a decade ago on Wednesday evenings and with a lot of hard work, community support and commitment, flourished to form the full-time operation it is today.  Offering ‘green/horticultural therapy’ through volunteering opportunities to anyone in recovery from substance misuse and/or mental ill health. 

The benefits of being outside, in nature and growing are well-documented and provide an opportunity for meaningful change in our lives.  Additionally, the opportunity to learn new skills and meet like-minded people builds confidence and fosters a sense of achievement and purpose. 

Significantly, the project is run, by and for, people in recovery from substance misuse and mental ill health.  Consequently, this lived experience allows a better and true understanding of the challenges faced by people in recovery, allowing the project to create an environment that is inclusive and supportive of participant’s needs. 

A spokesperson for ‘Growing for Change’ said: “We are incredibly proud to run a successful business growing and selling organic produce to local shops and restaurants.  And we are equally proud of the supportive community we have created.

“We specialise in growing organic salad greens, such as; rocket; spinach; and lettuce.  In addition we also grow a range of seasonal organic veg, and our staples include; Tomatoes; Kale; Chard; Spring Onions; Cucumbers; Aubergines; Peppers; Beetroot; Leeks; Courgettes; Squash; Radish; Chinese Cabbage; and French Beans.  We grow in polytunnels and outside beds adhering to ‘no dig’ principles and working in harmony with the environment.  Further, we  harvest and pack all produce on site and deliver to local retailers and restaurants. “

The future:

“We have been working on expansion plans for the past few years and although the Covid-19 pandemic meant our plans were halted temporarily, we are now back on track.  We are in the process of securing more land to expand our growing area and seeking funding to facilitate this.  This expansion will allow us to; continue supporting people in recovery from substance misuse and mental ill health; offer more volunteering opportunities and ‘green therapy’; supply more local shops and restaurants; become fully sustainable within three years, securing our future; offer paid employment to some of our volunteers; and offer recognised qualifications in commercial organic growing to volunteers who wish to pursue them.

“Further, our expansion will help us to achieve our goal of changing the local food economy.  We plan to do this by; continuing to challenge ‘big business’, ‘food miles’ and waste; promoting community growing; making locally grown organic produce available and affordable to those on the lowest incomes; normalising organic food and organic food production; and making all deliveries by electric bicycle. 

“We have previously worked with Maes Ni in Maesgeirchen, Bangor Food Share and Partneriaeth Ogwen to make organic produce available and affordable to those on the lowest incomes, and our expansion will allow us to participate in more local initiatives.! 

For more information about Growing for Change, please visit:

Instagram: @Growing_for_change

Facebook: @GrowingForChangeMaesG

Phone: 07849 819 166

Email: Growingforchange.maesgbangor@gmail.com