Five of the Seras team, Dave Wallace, Ian Wormleighton, Karen Furneaux-Beckett, Marianne Thomson and Samia Alenazi, swapped desks and laptops for a volunteering day helping Incredible Edibles in Knowsley.
Incredible Edibles is a fantastic initiative aiming to create kind, confident and connected communities through the power of food. They support health and wellbeing in Merseyside, whilst being led by the wants and needs of the local community, which is at the heart of everything they do, providing communal spaces for those who want to volunteer, or drop in for a chat, a coffee and some company.
With the cost of living at an all-time high, there are a lot of people in need of support with their weekly food shop. Incredible Edibles run a foodbank, helping anyone local to Knowsley and in need with discounted food packages. Additionally, all of the food grown at the site is donated back to the local community, giving everyone access to local, organically grown, and fresh produce.
Ian Wormleighton explains, “I set off to Knowsley with an open mind and a pair of gardening gloves. I’d looked at Incredible Edible’s website the day before and knew they were doing worthwhile work in the local area, but it wasn’t until I got there that I realised the scale of the project.
There was a brilliant shop facility selling all manner of goods to those who need a bit of financial help, beautiful gardens growing all sorts of produce and the apothecary and holistic treatment shop which help to keep it all self-sustainable – all staffed by enthusiastic, helpful and knowledgeable staff and volunteers.
After a walk around the site and talks from the founder Karen Mower about how the project came to be, who it’s aimed at helping and how it has expanded over the years, we helped get the wild flower meadow ready for winter by trimming back plants in certain areas to allow their seeds to fall into the soil ready to grow again next year. We weeded and mulched boxed leeks, gave everywhere a good watering and helped to clean and tidy the site.
It was great working with Karen, Dave, Marianne and Samia – you don’t always get a lot of time to chat during a busy workday, but here we could have a good natter whilst grafting. It’s always nice to be outside too, especially when you’re predominantly desk based!
A fantastic day that I can absolutely recommend to anyone thinking of taking up volunteering opportunities.”
Nicole Bamford, who volunteers for Incredible Edibles and looked after the Seras team on site said, “Seras were a great team of volunteers, who went above and beyond with their efforts to help us. The leeks and beans are looking great and due for harvest soon ready for everyone’s winter stews, this will keep our local community healthy and well fed in Autumn.”
Karen Mower, who heads up the Incredible Edible initiative added, “Our volunteering programme and the enthusiasm of our volunteer teams is key to the success of this entire operation. Thank you to Seras for their support.”
Working with whoever is willing, Incredible Edibles create powerful connections through the food they grow, which lead people to believe that when they act together each of us is stronger for it. You can visit their website to find out more about this incredible initiative Incredible Edible – If you eat, you’re in.
