As part of its Good Vibes Projects, Roots worked with Venturers’ Academy to rejuvenate the growing space which had become unused and overgrown with weeds. Following a thorough weeding, the raised beds were covered and topped up with compost and fresh plug plants, ready for students to enjoy over the coming months.

The plants include peas, climbing beans, courgettes, squash, strawberries, raspberries and tomatoes. Alongside the growing space, Roots also set up a sensory area complete with a sail shade and wooden barrels that include aromatic and edible herbs.

The Good Vibes Projects aims to provide guidance, help and garden space support to local schools, community groups and initiatives.

Ed Morrison, one of the founders of Roots Allotments, said: “Growing has not been officially on our school’s curriculums since 1945, so we jumped at the chance to help a school in need. It was fantastic to have the children join us and we felt just how passionate they were about getting this growing area back up and running so they could feel the benefits of interacting with nature and tasting their own grown food.

“We had some heart-warming feedback from the sixth form students and will continue to provide support over the growing season and into next year to make sure they have bountiful harvests. Over the next few years, we hope to help towards the academy’s vision to turn the space into a functioning kitchen garden. This will accompany a kitchen where students can continue their learning. This would help more young people get into paid work in the local community as well as give them a safe space to learn, be creative and be inspired. It was a proud moment for our team to be able to get out there and help create a wider impact beyond our growing communities.”

Jamie Earl, Post-16 lead at Venturers’ Academy, added: “The Roots team shared their gardening and biodiversity principles with us, as well as helping us to plant a whole range of edible plants and bushes. Now we can teach our amazing students about the full cycle of food and set them on a path of gardening for themselves for their whole lives. Some of our learners have never even seen something like this before and they are so excited that it’s ours.”

Students at Venturers’ Academy shared their own views, saying: “It’s so beautiful! Now we can grow our own food.” Another said: “It was so nice of the Roots people to think of us.”

Following completion of the project, the Roots team were invited back to Venturers’ Academy to help celebrate its incredible achievement of being named one of the top 10 schools in the world for overcoming adversity. The event included singing, dancing, workshops and delicious cakes made by the sixth form students. The Roots team gave a tour of the growing space to governors, academy sponsors, councillors and to well-known actress Nimmy March.

Photo caption, top image from left to right: Michael Bothamley, leader of SMV; and Trystan Williams, Executive Head of Venturers’ Academy; with staff and governors from Venturers’ Academy, members of the Roots team, and (fifth from the left) actor Nimmy March.