Thank you all for your input to the meeting back in February and for sticking with us in the cold. For those who arn’t sure – yes, you’re a member! Everyone who joins our community is instantly a member of it. We are moving away from using the word volunteer (outside of specific volunteer events i.e. Open Day, Voices in Exile sessions), and instead calling ourselves “community members” who are collaborating together to co-create our magical garden santuary! Below you can find some updates that came out of our last members meeting.
WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
One of the key elements to emerge from the day was a new WhatsApp community.
In addition to our current notice board whatsapp group, this will include some of the groups proposed by you such as;
-
- a discussion group that meets to discuss a book / podcast / online video around a theme or a topic. (so, like a book club but a bit broader)
-
- A walks and time in nature group arranging walks and gatherings outside the project (like our Seaford head to Friston Forest walk last year).
If the community is overwhelming / you’d rather not be a part of it, you can stay in our “quiet group”, which will not be brought inside the community. This group is for garden session updates only.
HAPPY HANGOUTS
The happy hangouts are underway and a big thank you to Kate, Nathan and Lilac for 3 brilliant workshops we have also had a couple of impromptu fire jams and are exploring some ways we might incorporate a bit more singing and music so if you have ideas around that please come and talk to us.
INCOME GENERATION
-
- Renting the site to third parties – on hold until fruit cage conversion complete
-
- Corporate Volunteering with donation – we will be producing promotional material
-
- Workshops – currently being explored
-
- Merchandise – currently being explored (cards / clothing / tea towel / keep cup / lunch box)
-
- We welcome further suggestions and ideas how to capture the £3 – £5 per month donations a few of you mentioned.
SOCIAL MEDIA & COMMS
We have been getting more adventurous but want to keep pictures and videos getting too intrusive. Currently the idea of a Youtube / Patreon account is too much of a time commitment but we will revisit this next year.
GARDEN PROJECTS
The immediate future is the hectic spring season when we try and get as many plants started and ultimately in the ground but we are also looking at:
Short term (in the next 3 months)
Expanding the fire circle
Mushrooms
Medium term: (3-12 months)
Natural arts and crafts
Cob oven
Fruit cage
VIBES to build on
Community
Co-creation
Welcoming
Safe
Fun
Healing
Connection
Accepting
ACTIVITIES to continue
Woodworking
Craft
Communal meals
Sharing skills
Weeding – it’s like tending to your own mind
Meditation
Hugs
THANK YOU 🌸💗
