Stoneyburn and Bents Future Vision Group.

Work to connect families positively with their community is underway with a project to help tidy up the village, grow food and reduce waste. 

Stoneyburn and Bents Future Vision Group has used its Eco Development Fund award from WLCAN to make further improvements to the community. Litter pickers help children get involved with tidy-up schemes. Schools were given fruit trees, compost and planters, for food growing work that will tie in with the existing gardening projects in the village. Food waste reduction items were also included in the purchase for the community larder.  

Laura explains: “We have purchased litter pickers and plan to create a group supported with both schools and nursery to keep our village tidy.  We have purchased food reduction items to be given out within our community larder to educate on reducing food waste.”  

Handy kitchen items for the community larder include measuring spoons and a pasta measuring tool.  These items will help with food waste reduction and will be given out during sessions. They also ordered recipe books with tips on using up leftovers and reducing food waste. The items will be shared among larder users.

A selection of fruit trees, compost and planters have been given to two primary schools, Stoneyburn and Our Lady’s, to be looked after as part of the community gardening planters that are spread throughout the village, plus additional compost. The schools will plant and look after their planters. “We will aim to support this using our gardening volunteers where possible.”

The litter picking is a way of including many groups. 

“We are are in the process of organising a meeting with our local walking group, parent and toddler group, both schools and nurseries plus our own groups, to schedule in dates for everyone to come together and litter pick, the wider community will also be invited to join us and we plan to do this regularly throughout the year.”

Spreading a project across groups is not only efficient, it is really effective in bringing other benefits, such as reducing loneliness and isolation, and having the equipment is already making a difference. Laura has already had a walker from one group come in and ask for a litter picker to take with them as he goes. 

As word of mouth of the projects grows, through group members and the fantastic volunteers, Stoneyburn and Bents will look for further opportunities in gardening and growing, benefiting all in the area.