ActivGardens is running a series of fun workshops as part of its ‘Women’s Skills Exchange’ project to encourage women to learn about gardening, the environment, growing their own food, cooking from scratch and other skills.

Our first workshop, ‘Empower with Flowers’, is Tuesday 9th Oct 10am-12.30pm at Chantry Walled Garden led by a local grower.

‘Core Cooking’ with Orchards East follows on Tuesday 23rd October 10am to 4pm in half term week and is designed to be a fun session for young mums and their children in half term week, with a chance to explore the garden and share a meal.

The sessions are designed to be fun, accessible and sociable – but places are limited, so please book.

Further sessions will cover beginner gardening skills, Christmas crafts, construction and beekeeping.

The project, funded through Suffolk Community Foundation, will involve women of all ethnicities in learning and sharing skills and developing new opportunities for themselves.

Existing volunteers will act as “Garden Companions” to help newcomers settle in and learn gardening and horticultural skills.

The project will bring women together in an active way to learn and share skills and improve their health and wellbeing in a welcoming environment. Women will be able to engage and develop at a pace to suit them, fitting around responsibilities of home and children, and doing as much as they are able. It will bring older women and younger women together in a spirit of sharing and co-operation.

To book a place, or if you have a skill you would like to learn or share, please get in touch with ActivLives 01473 345350 or Project Co-ordinator Lesley Hartley lesley@activlives.org.uk