The idea
We’re creating “Grow, Share, Thrive at The Hive Thanet” – a year-long, intergenerational programme where children, young people and adults with SEND from across East Kent come together with our 55+ community to grow food, improve wellbeing and build skills.
On our fully accessible five-acre site in Thanet we’ll run twice-weekly sessions that mix gentle physical activity, outdoor horticulture and simple wellbeing tools with purposeful tasks like sowing, weeding, harvesting and packing low-cost fruit and veg baskets for local residents.
The project tackles isolation, poor mental health, inactivity and poor diet among some of East Kent’s most disadvantaged residents. SEND trainees (19–25) gain real work experience in growing, packing and customer service, while older and disabled adults benefit from routine, movement, friendships and feeling useful.
Your support funds staff, materials and participant support so 70+ local people can move more, eat better and feel more connected.
What we'll deliver
- Run 2 intergenerational sessions every bringing together younger people and adults with SEND from across East Kent
- Grow, harvest and pack at least 400 healthy fruit and veg baskets, using produce from our horticulture area
- Provide weekly skills sessions for up to 15 SEND trainees linked directly to the gardening and basket activities.
- Host at least one community sharing event at the end of each season to showcase what has been grown, made and achieved
Why it's a great idea
Grow, Share, Thrive will bring clear health and wellbeing benefits to children, young people and adults with SEND across East Kent, and to local residents aged 55+. Regular, welcoming sessions at The Hive will reduce loneliness and anxiety, giving people a reason to get out, a routine to rely on, and a safe space where they are known and valued.
Gentle gardening, walking and outdoor tasks will help prevent or delay frailty, improving balance, strength and confidence for older and disabled adults. The healthy fruit and veg baskets will support better diets for local families, making fresh produce more affordable and visible in the community.
SEND trainees will gain real work experience and life skills through growing, packing and customer contact, improving confidence and readiness for future education, volunteering or employment. By bringing younger and older people together around a shared purpose, the project will build stronger, more inclusive community connections in Thanet
Steps to get it done
- 100 users
- 10000 hours training
