We want to buy a milk float and turn it into a mobile potting shed and nature classroom that will empower communities to transform unloved spaces into on-the-doorstep veg patches and wildlife havens.
About
Islington-based charity, Octopus, wants to buy a milk float and transform it into a ‘Gro-Mobile’ so that we can get into parts of Islington our Urban Wild Places project cannot effectively reach. As fate would have it, we’ve found ‘Bluebell’, the perfect milk float who needs a new home. Much of the conversion has already been done, but time is of the essence. We need to be up and running before the growing season is underway.
We want ‘Bluebell’ to venture into communities and help them transform unloved areas into thriving wildlife places and estates into food-growing oases.
So, in 2016 we’re going to be working with more estate-based growing groups, there’s over 40 of them, which means we’ll be out on the road, a lot.
To be fully operational, ‘Bluebell’ needs to be retrofitted with solar panels, a basic kitchen – for a cuppa and hand washing – along with lockable storage.
What we’ll do:
Why it’s a great idea:
‘Bluebell’ will help us pop-up on estates, facilitate community-led seasonal growing workshops and environmental activities during the school holidays, encouraging children and young people to connect with nature and improve where they live.
Octopus is committed to community development and gardening is a great way of bringing people from different backgrounds together. Community gardens can become a focal point for community organizing, and foster the development of community spirit. They also provide a place for food production, giving access to fresh home-grown nutritionally rich food that may be otherwise unavailable to low-income families. Gardening provides a fantastic inter-generational ‘living learning environment’ – for children to learn where food comes from and to think of enterprising ways to improve their environment. ‘Bluebell’ will become a real focal point encouraging people to get outdoors – just 20 minutes spent outside is said to significantly improve wellbeing.
How we’ll get it done:
With Bluebell available to buy in March and the growing season fast approaching, now is the time to secure our milk float. We’ve planned a month for retrofitting and rebranding the milk float, which means it will be ready in time for a full calendar of events, workshops, and growing sessions. With your support, we can reach more people and more places. Help us deliver nature to their doorsteps.