Growing with Nature: Tips on volunteering, funding & more!

Following the first ‘Growing with Nature’ networking event in June 2022, last week we were hosted by Snapdragons at Victoria Park for an autumn gathering. The evening brought together individuals and organisations from across the city, such as Woolwell in Bloom, Plymouth Environmental Action, Cliik Community and many more.

After a tour of the Snapdragons site including Food Plymouth’s composting project, Green Minds, Food Plymouth and POP gave an update with useful tips on growing with nature, funding opportunities and promoting volunteering – scroll down for more info.

Big thank you to Snapdragons for all of your support on the night, as well as Character Creation Roleplaying CIC, Inner City Seeds and The Intersection for the activities you shared with us!

Connecting people:

The Data Place are working on a networking mapping platform to show and promote opportunities where people are growing with nature. So far 18 organisations are on there, but we know this is just the tip of the iceberg! If you haven’t already, please put your details on the map using this short form: https://greenminds.thedata.place/survey.html

If you have any questions on the networking mapping platform, contact Martin at The Data Place: martin@thedata.place.

Promoting volunteering:

Our Plymouth is a citywide platform for volunteer recruitment. Here you can find volunteering opportunities or post your own if you would like some extra help on your project! https://ourplymouth.co.uk/

You can also find volunteering opportunities at https://new.plymouth.gov.uk/volunteering

Growing with Nature tips:

For tips on rewilding, from ecological expertise to running a community project, visit the Green Minds Rewilding Network webpage and Knowledge Hub.

For permaculture tips, you can join the Generous Earth Facebook group and download these documents:

• Permaculture techniques – mulching
• Mulching materials & advice

Funding opportunities:

Next Application Window for Community Gardens Award: National Garden Scheme will soon be welcoming applications for the 2023 Community Gardens Award with grants of £500 to £5,000 available. This could cover site prep, tools, plants, seating and more! Applications are open from 17^th Oct 2022 – 31^st Jan 2023. Click here to find out more.

POP also have funding opportunities and advice available:

• 250 a POP: Click here for more details.
• POP Collectives: Click here for more details.

Upcoming events:

4^th October: POP AGM 2022 focused on working together for impact. Click here to find out more and book your place.

POP Ideas Training workshops are starting in October, from advice on funding applications to promoting your events. Click here for more details and watch previous webinars at www.plymouthoctopus.org/webinars

All Ways Apples is returning this October! Click here for all event dates, including All Ways Apples on Tour and the All Ways Apples Festival (26th October, 11am – 4pm at Devonport Guildhall).

Green Minds has several upcoming online and in-person events: https://greenmindsplymouth.com/events