We were absolutely over the moon to hear that we had won awards in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category at the Cumbria in Bloom Awards.
Growing Well were recognised as achieving Level 5 – Outstanding for each of our three sites in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category, as part of the prestigious RHS awards.
Cumbria in Bloom focuses on transforming spaces, cultivating communities and growing together and, since 1983, has been inspiring communities to transform their surroundings through the power of horticulture and environmental care.
Every year they acknowledge, support and reward community groups that collaborate to enhance their village, town, city or schools through gardening with environmental initiatives and community engagement.
Emily Birstonas, Partnerships Manager at Growing Well, says: “As you can imagine, it’s wonderful for everyone at Growing Well – staff, beneficiaries and our community volunteers – to be recognised with these awards.
“Entries for Cumbria in Bloom are assessed rather than judged, and the emphasis is on support and development not on competition. When the awards were announced, it was also incredibly beneficial to read the assessor’s feedback about each of the sites.
GROWING WELL KENDAL – 96 points out of 100
“Thank you to Sinead, Mark, Sharon and Clare for welcoming us to Growing Well and letting us experience such a wonderful visit. Both staff and volunteers together run an amazing establishment.
“It is all organic veg and fruit grown, and a low dig policy and mainly hand work is employed. Surplus goes into the kitchen to provide lunches daily. Any food waste goes for the worms. Areas are left to encourage pollinators. Sawdust from woodlands on the Estate is used in the composting toilets.
GROWING WELL at TEBAY SERVICES – 90 points out of 100
“The benefits of activities in horticulture are well known, and Growing Well have pioneered a system of supporting those with mental health issues by involving them in a commercial enterprise of food production.
“They have made good use of existing on-site facilities of water and electricity and shelter from the surrounding trees, and have overcome the substantial difficulties of little or no topsoil.
“Serving mainly north and eastern Cumbria, beneficiaries are able to set their own targets for recovery. Through working and learning new skills, they find friendship and wellbeing.
“We were impressed by the orderly way things are set up, immaculate lines of production inside and out, the coordination of requests for produce, its picking, packing and delivery. There are established methods of propagation, procedure and turnover all going on in a supportive caring environment.
“We were envious of your well-appointed compost heaps, with their roof and movable labels.
“We were interested to see how Growing Well are enhancing their activity with native tree production and have already begun their cycle of propagation.
GROWING WELL WEST CUMBRIA – 91 points out of 100
“Last year, we were very impressed with what had been achieved in such a short space of time, but this year you have taken it to another level.
“It was great to hear the volunteer numbers have grown and they come from such a large area. Incredible to hear how, after the storm damage, local businesses and individuals rallied round and donated materials and labour. A great achievement on the increased number of vegetable boxes produced, helping to make the site self-sustainable.
“You have so many projects in the pipeline and, with the enthusiasm of the staff, we are sure many will come to fruition.