Vision
For the people who are in need of a stepping stone to kick start something meaningful in their lives, this project will occupy purposeful recovery. Whether the background is from drugs, alcohol, homelessness or careleavers the Roots2life project will not discriminate against any person, and will at all times respect and accept diversity. It will develop into a vital education of culture where all will learn from eachothers. It will become a multicultural family, where all will secure and support their future lives by developing personally rewarding occupations through all different diversionary activities. The activities will offer on site counselling delivered by experienced support workers and peer mentors. While working alongside eachother, they will build a natural bond and comradeship. The fruition will provide real all round benefit to them, their families and the community.
I propose that this gardening project could be a great way for the vulnerable to rebuild their confidence and to learn new skills. It will also help people fulfill their potential and transform their lives. With empowerment and motivation I believe that it will help the rebuilding of lives trapped in the cycle of homelessness and substance misuse. The change will be for the better of humanity. The Roots2Life project will also raise awareness to the communities around them of everyones plight. Roots2life would also allow drug users, often demonized by society, to be seen in a positive light. Local residents will be consulted about the design of the gardens and in some cases work alongside the volunteers.
It will tackle social exclusion, boredom and low self esteem that vulnerable experience by involving them in the practical work of creating and maintaining a pleasant garden. It will give those who may be isolated or depressed something to look forward to during their week and an opportunity to be included in a welcoming group of their peers. Many of the participants will develop a growing sense of community and achievement from seeing their hard work contribute to a successful harvest. Participants would be rewarded in many ways for meeting their commitment. They would receive therapeutic earnings, support from peers and project workers in all aspects of their lives and they could even get to eat the fruits of their labors. The innovative Roots2life scheme will take up gardening in order to conquer their addiction.
The garden will be immensely valuable to the community and could bring cultures together, particularly in inner cities where individual customs are frequently left hidden behind front doors. It would present a great opportunity to bridge the gap between ethnic, political and socio-economic groups, and to dismantle cultural taboos.
Community gardening may also be about empowerment, offering an opportunity for people to experience an element of control over part of their lives. It will be about providing something for their own neighborhood of which has been deprived.
Gardening is also a fantastic form of therapy and not just for those with substance misuse problems. The major benefit of a community garden will provide the provision of somewhere to relax in a green environment rather than being surrounded by concrete. By improving the look of a bleak built-up, area such gardens can really serve to pull a community together.
Other branches will shoot from this vision as the first strong roots grow deep into the earth's foundations. Footpath clearing, litter picking and many other tasks will grow upwards and blossom.
To help Roots2life to continue supporting vulnerable people please feel free to donate a little to the cause. The smallest donation is appreciated and will go towards some seeds, a new shed and equipment for the plot!