Residents at our homelessness hostel, based in Octaiva View, are happily getting involved with our new garden area improvements. The aim is to not only improve their sense of wellbeing by creating a pleasant outdoor space and providing theraputic activities as they engage in the gardening process. But by teaming up with our in-house Cookery School, they can learn about healthy eating and gain some valuable life skills along the way.

Our recent garden renovations include a large raised vegetable bed, a herb garden (located next to the cookery school) and a pizza oven. With a BBQ and outdoor kitchen still to be installed.

Growing, cooking and eating your own food is not only healthy and educational, but tastes so good too.

Last week residents and staff cooked up a storm in the new wood-fired pizza oven and cooked so many pizzas with a wide variety of toppings that were thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Residents also helped to plant the herb garden as well as planted the first few fruit and vegetables in the vegetable patch incluiding: rhubarb, strawberries, cauliflower, lettiuce and carrots. There is still plenty of space available for further planting in the coming weeks to ensure we have a constant rotation of veg that is ready to eat throughout the summer months.

Funding was gratefully received from: BUPA Foundation Green Community Grant, Elizabeth Wright's Charity, Cambridgeshire Community Foundation and Groundworks. Thank you. Your generosity is already having a positive impact upon the homeless people we work with.