A VEGETABLE growing outreach programme has been recognised for its work with refugees.
Reading Refugee Support Group and Reading City of Sanctuary awarded Hempen with garden of sanctuary status last month.
The farming not-for-profit cooperative, based in Goring Heath, launched the Growing Solidarity project with RRSG in 2019. It aims to provide refugees and asylum seekers supported by RRSG with an opportunity to experience the outdoors, grow their own crops and make friends.
Hempen founder Patrick Gillett said that he is proud of the group’s achievement.
“The group makes use of a polytunnel which would otherwise have been empty,” he said.
“Farm volunteers Sophie Gale and Tom Venner Woodcock thought it could be used to support people who would otherwise be vulnerable to food insecurity.
“It felt good, as part of the vision for the farm is outreach to marginalised groups and there has been amazing enthusiasm for Growing Solidarity.”
The polytunnels were empty as the farm had its hemp growing licence revoked by the Home Office in July 2019. Hempen is campaigning for hemp licensing rules to be changed. It is also looking for volunteers to support the Growing Solidarity project.
For more information, visit: hempen.co.uk
