Agenda item

Jealott's Hill Community Landshare

Minutes:

It was noted that Jealott's Hill Community Landshare currently had 3 members of staff with many volunteers.  It was noted that Jealott's Hill Community Landshare was a large site, a 6.5-acre vacant site offered for community use by Syngenta.

 

It was noted that Jealott's Hill Community Landshare partners formed a steering group which had consisted of:

  • Syngenta (landowner).
  • Silva Homes (lead partner & lease holder).
  • Warfield Parish Council.
  • Bracknell Forest Council.

 

It was noted that the mission for Jealott's Hill Community Landshare was to use the power of gardening to positively change the lives of people, for them to be able to enjoy being close to nature and share produce.

 

It was noted that Jealott's Hill Community Landshare had a community hub which was a space for individual participants and volunteers and consisted of individuals such as:

  • Retired.
  • Work experience.
  • Living with dementia or health conditions.
  • Feeling low mood.
  • Learning or physical disabilities.
  • Support groups and schools.
  • Reparation services.

 

It was noted that there was also an area for group plots where Jealott's Hill Community Landshare worked with community groups, charities, support organisations and more.  Some of the group plot holders were:

  • Sorelle (Adult care support).
  • Breakthrough Employment Support.
  • Woodhurst Park (Resident group).
  • C.  H.  Support (Adult care support).
  • Activate College Bracknell SEND.
  • Friends in Need (Mind).
  • Growing Hope (New Hope).
  • Recovery College (Stepping Stones).
  • Warfield Grow and Share (Resident group).

 

It was noted that Jealott's Hill Community Landshare also had a pond and welfare room.  It was noted that the welfare room had a disabled ramp and disabled toilets which was found to be accessible and had received positive feedback from the public.  As well as this, the carpentry workshop also had ramps which had then provided everyone the opportunity for DIY projects.

 

It was noted that Jealott's Hill Community Landshare worked on their funding and sustainability through the following:

  • Partner contributions.
  • Commission services.
  • Project funding & grants.
  • Donations.
  • Fundraising & events.
  • Site rental & educational workshops.

 

Kate Darrall also discussed the plan for Jealott's Hill Community Landshare moving forward and it was noted that from 2022, they would be working on the following:

  • Educational workshops.
  • Relaxation sessions.
  • Outdoor family activities.
  • Network events for charities and businesses.
  • Income from produce.
  • Utilising the 5-star kitchen & fitted carpentry workshop.
  • Creating opportunities for people that were seeking employment.
  • Online fundraising.

 

In response to questions raised, the following points were noted:

  • It was noted that horticultural training or horticultural gardening for disadvantaged young people was being researched into, but it was difficult to find a provider of qualifications, someone who would oversee that side which would be a regulated school or organisation as a governing board of qualification to work with was required.
  • It was noted currently that there was a large decking area around the polytunnel which was from the Olympics 2012, but the framework had rotted.  Due to this, a project had been created to reinstate the area.  By reinstating the area, it would also provide disabled access from the car park to the polytunnel to then provide access to the growing areas.  It was noted that the decking would not be replaced with more decking as it was not beneficial for walking aides due to the gaps in the decking and so a hard standing surface such as gravel paths would be sought.