ISCA Community Garden Project
Students were invited to take part in a community project by the Vicar of St Andrews Church by helping maintain and develop a quiet and contemplative outdoor space for the enjoyment of the local community.
This has been an exciting opportunity for our students at many levels.
It has helped them collaborate with the local community, creating a bond between different generations, of whom frequent the garden and the adjacent church hall. For example, in addition to working in the garden, students spent time learning knitting and crochet skills with the “Knit and Natter Group” as well as taking part in a creative workshop aimed at bringing together different parts of the community.
It has allowed our students to work to a real brief, given by the local community, not just to maintain and beautify the garden, but also to develop it around the theme of the 7 days of creation. Students have created mood boards, which they have presented to the community and are in the process of developing a series of mosaics and woven sculptures to be displayed in the garden.
Students have learnt the value of working in the outdoors and its benefits to their mental health, allowing them to switch off from social media, even if just for a short time, and experience a direct connection with nature.
In addition, they have developed greater social awareness, discovering more about the non-material aspects of life and the value of working to contribute positively to the lives of others.
