Fresh locally grown food will be on the menu for more people in Aberdare – with a little help from National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED).
The company is supporting Nurturing Our Roots, based at Caradog Primary School, to create a new growing space where residents of all ages can come together to produce seasonal food.
The allotment project has won funding from NGED’s Community Matters Fund Green Spaces programme to develop a plot for vegetables and fruit and to buy seeds and plants. It also secured a grant from RCT Partnership for a polytunnel which will enable volunteers to grow crops from seed throughout the year.
Rebecca Buckley, Chair of Governors at Caradog Primary School and a representative of Nurturing Our Roots, said: “Together, these developments will help us increase participation, provide more learning opportunities and produce more fresh, seasonal food for the community.
“It enables us to create a space where people can learn practical skills, improve their wellbeing and work together towards a more sustainable future.
“Funding like this from National Grid is absolutely vital. Without grant funding, projects such as ours would simply not be able to operate or develop. So, a very big diolch yn fawr to all who have helped support the project!”
Andlyn White, NGED’s Social Impact Lead, said: “Our funding for green spaces was designed to help projects like this which are creating healthier communities and improved environments. We look forward to seeing it literally grow and deliver lasting benefits.”
As well as promoting sustainable food growing and healthier lifestyles, Nurturing Our Roots hosts activities, courses and events to tackle isolation, build confidence and bring people together.
It has also used National Grid’s funding to install seating so people can gather, socialise, and enjoy the environment.
- Photos show youngsters involved in Nurturing Our Roots at Caradog Primary School.
- The Community Matters Fund is delivered by National Grid Electricity Distribution in partnership with Localgiving and supports grassroots organisations delivering positive change in communities across South Wales, South West England and the Midlands.
- It provides individual grants of up to £5,000 for charities and community groups and over the past year has supported initiatives helping people overcome barriers to finding work and tackling fuel poverty.
- Since launching in 2021, the fund has awarded more than £12 million to 2,200 grassroots organisations, benefiting more than one million people across the South West, the Midlands and South Wales.
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