GreenHouse Spaces - The Garden At Arlington Is bringing Together Residents and Staff Through The Shared Joy Of Growing & Cooking Delicious Food
The GreenHouse Project creates opportunities for Service Users to connect with nature and find joy in greenspaces. We believe that everyone can benefit from being in nature.
We co-develop with participants a diverse range of activities reflective of the different interests and capacities people have; from walking in nature, to garden maintenance, to food growing, camping and outdoor cooking on open fires.
At Arlington, One of our Camden Hostels, GreenHouse Freelancer – Catherine works with participants every week in the garden. She has worked at Arlington for six years, creating an inviting green-space with participants, from flower planting, to wild-life watching and growing seasonal food, the garden is a safe space for residents to enjoy the benefits of nature.
When interviewed for this piece and asked about the positive impact the garden activities have on participants and why she enjoys her work with them, Catherine shared:
“Gardening is great because it is equal parts creativity, science, practical skills and love of nature, so everyone that joins us in the garden has contributed something important. Residents are proud and excited to see their achievements in a garden that grows more beautiful each day. And we have a lot of laughs while doing it.
The residents that use the garden regularly are so passionate about it; they love learning about the plants, the animals that make the garden their home, and tasting the food that we grow. We often have music playing while we work, which stimulates discussions about composers and bands we’ve seen, but also history and politics and the meaning of life. I've learned so much from residents.”
Another lovely aspect of the GreenHouse Project session, is the relationship that has blossomed between Catherine and Arlington’s Chef Vaun, through their shared passion for garden-to-table ethos.
Chef Vaun has worked as the head chef of Arlington for a year and a half. He began his journey with SHP at a Service in Kings Cross in 2004. He was the first chef and only catered project at the time.
When we went into our first lockdown, Chef Vaun ran the kitchen at The Brittania Hotel which was part of the government's ‘Everyone In’ initiative, which provided housing and wrap-around health support for rough-sleepers in London. For nine months he provided nourishing food for 80 residents three times a day.
Now he’s Head Chef at Arlington, Camden hostel, and very proud of his kitchen and the menu is creates, especially is favourite dish - lasagna!
Every week when Catherine hosts the GreenHouse Sessions, she shares the fruit & veg that’s ready to be used in the kitchen.
When asked about working with Catherine and the daily meals he prepares, Chef Vaun shared:
“Catherine shares everything which she grows with me. It impacts the residents positively knowing that the food is fresh and free from pesticides. Cooking itself is a wonderful experience where you can create and be artistic in presentation. It is also a pleasure to eat with each other and enjoying your creative meals.”
When you meet both Catherine & Chef Vaun, you can feel that they take pride in their work. It’s obvious how the time spent in the garden and the fresh food being consumed are improving the quality of life of residents at Arlington.
Blog by Erin Whiteley, Opportunities Programme
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