In an age of increasing social isolation, community orchards are wonderful spaces for bringing people together around a common, positive purpose. We’ve witnessed first hand the transformational potential of orchards in creating and uniting communities.
Our focus and motivation lie in the joy of seeing people enjoy these beautiful spaces, connect to nature and collaborate with their neighbours to improve their local area. In this time of climate emergency, when many of us feel disempowered and overwhelmed, we’ve also seen how urban community orchards become a tangible way for people to take positive, practical, local action for the climate.
Our projects celebrate these spaces and unite local communities in valuing and utilising them. We do this through seasonal orchard events like Apple Days, Wassails, Harvest Festivals and Blossom Picnics, and delivering training workshops and volunteer days.
Creating orchard networks
As well as supporting individual orchard groups, we also create opportunities for them to meet and learn from each other. Our city-wide Orchard Summit events, training courses and Community Orchard Award ceremonies are platforms for Orchard Leaders and affiliate volunteers to get together, arrange to visit other orchards and build momentum around their projects.
We recognise that sustainable orchards depend on the longevity of the community groups managing them. That’s why our Orchard Leader training covers community resilience, such as volunteer retention, group dynamics and community engagement. Our networking events also encourage groups to become independent. Gradually, we’ve built up urban orchard ‘ecosystems’ through these new networks and friendships!