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
Derian House Childrens Hospice
We provide respite and end-of-life care to more than 400 babies, children and young people across the North West. The care we provide is free for families, but services cost £6 million to run every year. Our help extends right across the family to brothers, sisters, parents and grandparents.
Sydenham Garden
Sydenham Garden provides therapeutic gardening and and arts and crafts groups for people with mental health difficulties and dementia - in the beautiful setting of a nature reserve and community food growing site. It is a source of peace and joy, a real sanctuary when people are going through tough times.
Hounds for Heros
We’re a small passionate team dedicated to supporting those who have served or are serving our country, who have become disabled through injury or illness. Our experienced trainers, volunteers, and staff work together to provide life-changing assistance dogs that offer not only physical support but emotional strength and independence.
