Projects for children, young people and schools at PLOT 22:

Sensing Friends

Sensing Friends support young people dealing with issues related to sensory needs and social exclusion. They offer a range of services that support young people aged 8 to 25 years in the south east, who are dealing with any kind of sensory needs such as physical (sight loss, hearing loss) neurological (ADHD, ASD, HSP)  and/or emotional ( PTSD, trauma, anxiety). The are currently prioritising young refugees.

Since 2020 when COVID prevented indoor meeting they have used PLOT 22 to host 1-2-1 outdoor counselling sessions and a monthly Circle of Friendship group. The Circle Of Friendship is a peer support program that aims to help young people with sensory needs and their peers without sensory needs, form deeper connections with themselves, others and the environment through spending time together outdoors, sharing skills and food together. Off the back of the success of these sessions we supported Sensing Friends to gain their own allotment space at the Weald Allotments in 2022 and now continue to offer gardening guidance and occasional sessions on request.

TouchBase 

Time at PLOT 22 is offered as part of TouchBase's programme of support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, and family loss. TouchBase work closely with parents, key adults and schools too. By spending a therapeutic day at PLOT 22 key relationships are strengthened through the sharing of a multi-sensory experience. These term-time sessions are led and facilitated by two TouchBase Attachment Lead Teachers and Therapists. They also have plans for ConnectIN project sessions at PLOT 22 specifically for groups of young refugees.

For more information, please contact info@touchbase.org.uk Or find out more about them on their website https://touchbase.org.uk/

Nature's Nippers

Nature's Nippers is an outdoor group for parents and pre-school children. It was started in 2012 in response to interest from parents we connected with through the local Children's Centre. You can read what happened when we met every month from January - December 2013 in the lovely diary we made: Nature's Nippers – a year at PLOT 22 and view photos of all our other sessions over on our flickr gallery. Here's a taster:

In 2015 the sessions were hosted by parents and carers Ellie, Mami, Becky and Laetitia. They approached the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund for a grant and this enabled us to hold 4 further taster sessions in 2016. This short video was made during these sessions:

Thai Food for Teenagers

During the fine weather of July and August 2011, seven groups of young people came to learn how to cook authentic Thai cuisine from Yoong Romchai, chef and founder of Hungry Monkey. Working outdoors, we harvested, prepared and then cooked vegetables and herbs Thai-style, filling this quiet allotment garden with the exotic smells and flavours of Thailand. You can read our story of working with Yoong here Thai Food at PLOT 22. These sessions were funded by the Hedgecock Bequest Fund.

An Adventure at PLOT 22 with Portslade Infant Eco Warriors

Children grow and plants grow. But did you know that ideas can grow too? Through this project we hosted 8 after school sessions and created a story book about how the children’s ideas about coming to the garden grew into real things they could share with others. It’s called  An Adventure at PLOT 22 with Portslade Infant Eco Warriors and we printed and gave a copy to the school. This project was funded by People Can (formerly The Scarman Trust).

Nature Learning with schools

This simple guide has been created to inspire teachers who want to weave Nature Learning into the school day. It seeks to help teachers, no matter what their experience, confidently support children to connect with the magic of nature around them.

Nature Learning Through the Seasons, a handbook for in-school projects by Nadia Foley Comer and Emma Houldsworth. Other photo diaries and books can be previewed and purchased on our blurb.co.uk page. Any proceeds from sales go to PLOT 22.