Why are community growing projects essential during and after #COVID-19?

As a nursing student here in Dundee, one of the first essays I wrote was about the social determinants of health. This was back in 2017, where I referenced the Trussell Trust, a charity consisting of UK wide food banks, who issued food parcels to over 1 million families. They suggest that 13 million people live below the poverty line in the UK. This is, of course, before #COVID-19 arrived.

As we see panic buying over the UK, it has never been a more important time and opportunity for community growing projects to support society and have the opportunity to show their benefits to governments and policymakers. Something we know from world-renown experts, such as Sir Michael Marmot, is that #COVID-19 will exacerbate the inequalities we already see in society now. Not everyone has access to fresh and healthy food and these restrictions we are seeing due to #COVID-19 are making this harder for those who are vulnerable and living in poverty but not only those. This will be a time when even those who have not experienced poverty, might find themselves in difficult situations accessing healthy, fresh food.

Community growing projects/initiatives are starting to pop up around the UK and slowly, their benefits are starting to be taken seriously. Social Farms and Gardens, a charity supporting communities to farm, garden and grow together list some of the benefits of these as:

• Mental health and wellbeing benefits

• Physical health benefits

• Educational and behavioural benefits

• Social benefits

Read more on these by clicking here.

Community growing projects/initiatives offer a green space for locals to come together and grow fruit and vegetables for themselves and others in that community. As listed above, it offers a free resource of healthy and hearty fruit and vegetables, which is, of course, beneficial to physical health. Then of course, for those who take part in the actual gardening, are benefited from free exercise. The mental health and wellbeing benefits are successful through several factors. Being outdoors, meeting new people, having a sense of ownership and achievement, to name a few. However, this is slightly altered due to #CIOVID-19.

It might seem difficult to see how community growing projects/initiatives can contribute, given the four governments of the UK setting certain restrictions on being outdoors. All is not lost though, as the guidance suggests that food production and distribution is classed under "Critical Sector" therefore adhering to social distancing, or going out to sites one at a time, there is still an opportunity to get out and tend to vital fruit and vegetable plants, which can also be classed as individuals daily exercise allowance.

Never has the time been imperative for all these projects to communicate, collaborate and work together in the contribution to the #COVID-19 effort, now, but also afterwards, when the longer-term effects of this virus start to show.

Why don't you get growing, for you, your family or your vulnerable neighbours. The Royal Horticultural Society has put together this great resource for anyone to start growing at home. https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/get-growing