Grow your own food in school

BlueBay volunteers help primary school students make a growing plan

Project description A team of volunteers from Bluebay spent a day supporting a class of students to create a plan for what they would like to plant in their new plastic bottle greenhouse and why. The students formed teams with their volunteer helpers guiding them through various activities including: • Where food grows (underground, overground) • Seasons (when) • How much it would cost (buying seeds vs buying ready grown plants) • What they would do with the food when it is grown Throughout the day the students learnt more about work skills such as planning, project management, teamwork, decision making and more. Once they completed their plan they then presented their idea to the class and the teacher chose a winning team who would see their plan implemented the following term. The team that won had the idea of planting basil in recycled wellington boots hanging from the roof of the greenhouse, and making pesto with it to be sold at their school fair and to give the money to charity. Volunteers honed information delivery skills with a young inquisitive audience Real opportunity for team building outside of day-to-day grind Greater understanding of students & the community; an opportunity to give back Opportunity for staff developed key facilitation and leadership skills   Learning about how things grow Problem solving & teamwork Listening & following directions Working with adults Time & Talents input: initial idea formed with school, design of the programme for the day including all resources and delivery timetable. Time & Talents also provided volunteer training before the event, on the day led classroom delivery, and gathered feedback to distil project insights. Download full case study Quote: "We really enjoyed supporting the students to find their unique vision for the greenhouse and seeing them present it back showing what they had learned was great to see instant impact" - Team Leader Volunteer from BlueBay

Project in pictures Volunteer supporting team with ideas Working together in teams Slides from the day Teams present their ideas Quote:  "The students really enjoy working with volunteers and this is a great chance for them to gain extra support from adults and time for them to all have a voice.” - School Teacher