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The Islington Gro-Mobile

Funded on Spacehive 31 May 2016

Impact data and claims within this report are provided by the project creator and have not been independently verified by Spacehive.

The Islington Gro-Mobile

Octopus Community Network By Octopus Community Network

We want to buy a milk float and turn it into a mobile potting shed and nature classroom that will empower communities to transform unloved spaces into on-the-doorstep veg patches and wildlife havens.

Islington Delivery stage

78
backers
£15,275
raised
funded icon
This project was funded on 31 May 2016!

Islington-based charity, Octopus, wants to buy a milk float and transform it into a ‘Gro-Mobile’ so that we can get into parts of Islington our Urban Wild Places project cannot effectively reach. As fate would have it, we’ve found the perfect milk float who needs a new home. Much of the conversion has already been done, but time is of the essence. We need to be up and running before the growing season is underway.

We need the Gro-Mobile to venture into communities and help them transform unloved areas into thriving wildlife places and estates into food-growing oases.

So, in 2016 we’re going to be working with more estate-based growing groups, there’s over 40 of them, which means we’ll be out on the road, a lot.

To be fully operational the milk float needs to be retrofitted with solar panels, a basic kitchen – for a cuppa and hand washing – along with lockable storage.

What we'll deliver:

  • Buy a refurbished milk float and transform it into a mobile potting shed and nature classroom.
  • Engage communities and growing groups in creating urban wildlife gardens, urban orchards, and community veg plots.
  • Equip communities with the skills and tools they need.
  • Inspire local communities to transform their neighbourhood into 'living learning environments'.
  • Motivate communities to take action and work together to improve their neighbourhood.
  • Support communities throughout with seasonal workshops.

Why it's a great idea:

The Gro-Mobile will help us pop-up on estates, facilitate community-led seasonal growing workshops and environmental activities during the school holidays, encouraging children and young people to connect with nature and improve where they live.

We're committed to community development and gardening is a great way of bringing people from different backgrounds together. Community gardens can become a focal point for community organizing, and foster the development of community spirit. They provide a place for food production, giving access to fresh home-grown nutritionally rich food that may be otherwise unavailable to low-income families. Gardening provides a fantastic inter-generational ‘living learning environment’ – for children to learn where food comes from and to think of enterprising ways to improve their environment. The Gro-Mobile will become a real focal point encouraging people to get outdoors – just 20 minutes spent outside is said to significantly improve wellbeing.

Steps to get it done:

  • The Gro-Mobile's journey will be launched and captured through social media to encourage others to get on-board.
  • We're setting out a potential route-map for the Gro-Mobile and seasonal programme of activities.
  • We're talking with Islington Council to identify all of the estate-based growing groups.
  • We've started consulting estate-based community-led growing groups about what help they need.

We’ve planned a month for retrofitting and rebranding the milk float, which means it will be ready in time for a full calendar of events, workshops, and growing sessions. With your support, we can reach more people and more places. Help us deliver nature to their doorsteps.

Location Islington

About the space

Multiple sites throughout the Borough of Islington

Council

London Borough of Islington

How will the money be spent?Total £15,322

Milk float - £12,000 (78%)
Insurance - £1,000 (7%)
Service - £500 (3%)
Signage - £300 (2%)
Secure storage boxes (double as seats) - £200 (1%)
Awning for hatch - £150 (1%)
Basic kitchen equipment - £100 (1%)
Other - £1,072 (7%)

Costs Breakdown

This shows how money raised for the project will be spent. These costs have been confirmed by the project's Delivery Manager and verified.

78%
Milk float
£12,000
7%
Insurance
£1,000
3%
Service
£500
2%
Signage
£300
1%
Secure storage boxes (double as seats)
£200
1%
Awning for hatch
£150
1%
Basic kitchen equipment
£100
7%
Other Read More
£1,072
  • Spacehive fees
    £713
  • Transaction Fees
    £217
  • VAT
    £143

Total £15,322

Our Volunteer List

We're currently looking for people to offer skills and time to develop our project! Check out the list of what we need below and then use the 'Volunteer' button to the right to get involved.

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