February has been a month focussed on growth and learning here at Newquay Orchard. From the volunteers to the Growing Futures students, everyone has had the chance to try something new. Read on to find out exactly how and what we’ve learnt this month.
Newquay Orchard volunteers were invited to a potentially lifesaving CPR workshop! Taught by Kernow Training Solutions volunteers used dummies and essential first aid techniques to learn how to help an unconscious person through compressions and rescue breaths. These techniques are not often taught in the community and knowledge of them can be vital. The delivery team and volunteers at Newquay Orchard are now looking at how they can raise funds to install a defibrillator at the Orchard.
Volunteers have also been taking part in activities outside of traditional horticulture including walks around our greenspace with a herbalist, a walking group to Booby’s Bay and a dance workshop inspired by the style of Biodanza. They’ve still been playing their part in the development of the Orchard; pruning apple trees and enjoying rides on a Gator (which is a little off-road vehicle) hired to transport topsoil across site.
The Growing Futures students have been exploring wellbeing this month. The young adults have tried meditation, cloud watching and even a sound bath session. Mindfulness in nature is an important part of the curriculum at Newquay Orchard where the outdoors is the classroom and students learn from nature and the wildlife that lives here. Learn more about Growing Futures.
Local school Trevigals Academy have visited the Newquay Orchard Market Garden community supported agricultural scheme this month and, along with Growing Futures students, planted the first ever crop in this exciting new development. The students started with spring garlic bulbs and are hoping for a cold snap so that the cloves can form well. This produce will one day be a part of a local vegetable box scheme, serving the community locally grown vegetables and herbs.
Our business support schemes Taking Root and Branching Out have been working with budding entrepreneurs this month. Accounting workshops have helped business owners and people exploring the opportunities of going self-employed to learn about managing business finances. These free courses aim to help create new economic pathways in Cornwall.
Newquay Orchard has continued to share its space with community groups. MacMillan and Age UK invited the community in for a coffee in Canteen at the Orchard where they also offered advice and support for those whose who are, or have family members who are, dealing with cancer.
As we continue to develop and grow our infrastructure here at Newquay Orchard, education and the environment is still at the heart of our planning, with our team taking every opportunity to teach volunteers, students, and local people something new about sustainability.
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