Plot to Pot Community Kitchen
Down To Earth Derby is a local regeneration and social enterprise organisation based in Derby. Their mission is to utilise nature-based solutions to transform underused or neglected spaces into vibrant community hubs. They focus on community engagement, urban green spaces, events, and commercial activities, while also partnering with developers and design practices to maximise their impact. Their vision extends beyond just creating individual gardens; they aspire to regenerate the entire city through the collaboration of nature and community.
Project Overview
Our Mission
We specialise in nature-based regeneration, collaborating closely with communities and the natural environment. Our goal is to create spaces, educational programs, and events that help participants reconnect with the world around them, e the positive effects nature can have on our daily lives.
What Is the Impact of Our Organisation?
Each year, we engage with schools, local councils, businesses, and individuals to transform grey spaces into green areas. This initiative has a positive impact on urban environments and the people who live and work in them, all through the lens of nature connectedness.
Additionally, we develop and facilitate a green education program in several schools, focusing on teaching children and young adults the importance of ecological citizenship and the responsibility we all share towards our environment.
Why Are We Crowdfunding?
With the funds raised, we plan to create a community kitchen in our urban garden. This kitchen has been a passion of ours since Electric Daisy was established, as it connects our community to their food. Utilizing our space in Derby City Centre, we intend to launch a Community Growth Plan, dedicating three of our garden beds at Electric Daisy to the community. Participants will have autonomy over what food is grown in these beds, guided by a planting program that includes regular sessions led by one of DTE's horticultural experts.
However, gardening is only part of our plan. We also aim to host cooking and food supply chain workshops for community members who have taken part in growing the produce from seed to harvest. These workshops will emphasise the importance of sustainable foods in an urban environment and help address barriers to accessing sustainable food in traditionally underserved areas.
Through this project, we aim to achieve the following:
- Community ownership of the food production process
- Reduced barriers to accessing sustainable food
- Enhanced knowledge of food and cooking skills
- Stronger community connections around food and growing
- A demonstration of an urban sustainable food system
Check out the live projects we're supporting
Alex Wish Duchenne Virtual Ward Project
Alex's Wish is a charity dedicated to conquering Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. A progressive, life-limiting muscle-wasting disease that affects 1 in every 3,500 boys born. We are a family-run charity, set-up by Alex's parents 13 years ago after discovering there is not enough funding going into medical research to find treatments and a cure for those living with Duchenne in the UK.
Rainbows Hospice Gardens
Rainbows cares for hundreds of families every year who have a baby, child or young person with a serious or terminal illness that means that their lives will be shorter than most. We support every baby, child and young person to fulfil their potential, and help families make the most of every precious moment, while capturing memories and keepsakes to treasure. We’re here for the whole family, offering comfort and compassion during tough times, providing the highest level of professional care until the end, and support after. Simply put, we’re here to brighten short lives, and support families, wherever they are.
Forever Stars
Forever Stars is a registered charity run by volunteers, dedicated to supporting families experiencing baby loss, including early miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal loss. We offer compassionate assistance from the time families are in the hospital and throughout their lifelong journey of grief. Our services are available to all family members, regardless of when they seek support, whether immediately after their loss or many years later.
