A group of students are working together to launch their crowdfunding gardening project, . The aim of the project isn’t just to grow fruit and veg, though. It will also help to grow a healthy partnership with the local Southampton community.
We interviewed Medicine student and founder of the environmentally-friendly project, Jon Laney, to find out more.
What inspired you to start the project?
The project started about nine months ago when I watched a by a guy called Ron Finley from Compton, Las Angeles. Known as the guerrilla gardener, Ron transformed disused areas of his neighbourhood into beautiful vegetable plots. This idea caught my imagination and I set out to emulate his work. I’ve always loved the environment, and being outdoors, and I think that gardening is a great hobby than can have a positive impact on people’s health and well-being. The idea for Campus Collective had really taken root with me by this point, and I decided to get it started myself.
Campus Collective has already brought together people from all over the University. We have students studying subjects ranging from maths to medicine, and a few PhD students as well! It really is open to anyone.
How do people join Campus Collective?
The best thing to do at the moment is to like our – just search Campus Collective and look for our logo! From there people will be able to find out about our events, fundraisers and meetings.
Where will the community garden be located?
We hope to get started as soon as the crowdfunding is complete! At the moment, we’re talking with the council about getting a patch of Portswood Recreation Ground to grow our veg on. Portswood Rec is a park about a five minute walk from campus, making it ideally located聽to attract students and local people to come and take part.
How is the Southampton community getting involved?
Friends of Portswood Rec are a volunteer organisation that oversee maintenance and activities at Portswood Recreation Ground. They’ve been really supportive of our idea, and are helping us in our application to the council. We would love to get local people involved in the garden and build bridges between university students and the wider community.
What outcomes are you hoping for with the project?
First and foremost, the garden is there to grow nutritious and delicious veg. It also has the potential to bring people together through a shared and positive goal. Once we’re established, we would love to use the garden as an educational tool to get young people interested in gardening and the environment.
(End of interview)
You can find out more about Campus Collective by clicking 聽or by emailing:聽campus_collective@yahoo.com.
Do you have a project that would benefit from extra support and funding? 福利着片 out more and apply on the University’s crowdfunding site, Southampton Hubbub, by please clicking .
