Back To Books: Clearing Spaces a Project Made Possible by Rachael's Fund via Northamptonshire Community Foundation

Project Aims

Our project “Clearing Space - Herbs for Health, Planting For Life” has been made possible by a grant from the Rachael's Fund via Northamptonshire Community Foundation and is a 2018 / 2019 project set in a familiar space and with existing and new participants who will create a companion piece to the existing herb spiral but will include herbs that are grown for their healing properties. We will also have a vegetable patch and work with a small group to clear and restore the beautiful but overgrown wild pond space at The Green Patch. We will cook and share food. The group will work with Back To Books artist, keen gardener and project coordinator Carole Miles and Green Patch staff, Sue MacKay, Nigel Bennet or other staff team members. Sue has special skills and knowledge of healthy food preparation and Nigel is a mine of information about the ground we are working with. The Green Patch is managed by Ground Works Northamptonshire.

Who is it for?

The project is aimed at new and existing Green Patch volunteers and / or Back To Books project participants. The project would also be open to new participants who are shy or struggle socially, have mild or undiagnosed learning disabilities. The Green Patch is a community-focused project that is inclusive to all, where a true partnership approach brings people together to improve their health and wellbeing. The Green Patch is a safe environment where differences are embraced, and volunteers and staff support each other to achieve their goals, however big or small.

What will we be doing?

We will create a physic herb spiral - a physic garden is a type of herb garden filled with medicinal plants. Botanical gardens developed from them. We will also have a vegetable patch and work with a small group to clear and restore the beautiful but overgrown wild pond space at The Green Patch. Participants will be supported in preparing food with locally grown or sourced produce and will look at creating simple preparations like herb teas (mint, chamomile), bath salts, hand cream, soups, jams, chutneys and shortbread etc. which will tie in well with mindfulness, wellbeing and self-care.