By Fiona Law
Did you know that Lambeth Poly is the only registered primary producer in Lambeth? In other words, Lambeth’s only farm is on Tulse Hill Estate, right in the middle of public housing! Crops were produced in the polytunnel right up to mid-December last year, showing how growing under polythene increases production.
Starting last July as prototype project, residents grew salad leaves for sale to a local restaurant and veg box scheme. The Poly won Capital Growth’s Growing for Gold capital-wide Enterprise Award. Now the project is scaling up and wants to train more local people. Could you be a Lambeth Poly trainee? This is a brilliant opportunity to gain work experience, learn about growing crops in a polytunnel, get an accredited qualification and be in at the beginning of a new social enterprise.
We are looking for responsible adults enthusiastic about the possibilities of growing local food. You need to be a Tulse Hill or a Loughborough Junction resident. LJ will be the site of the second tunnel. All adults (19+) are welcome to apply.
The traineeship includes level 2 accredited units in work experience and growing crops and you will receive a qualification, ‘Growing in a Polytunnel’. You need to attend 8 weekly sessions (Thursdays and one Friday) 10.30 – 2.30 and commit to one half hour morning or evening maintenance session a week. The traineeship runs May 16th – July 8th. There will be some assessment tasks to complete and you will be fully supported. Trainer Fiona Law (also the designer and co-ordinator of the project) is a fully qualified and experienced trainer of adults and has worked in community education.
The poly tunnel project is also looking for an admin volunteer who can commit to 3 hours a week. The role includes ordering materials, research, updating blog and social media, taking minutes at monthly meeting. This is a role that can grow with the Lambeth Poly as it develops as a business.
To find out more and apply for the traineeship:
Contact Fiona 07971 065821, email lambethpoly@gmail.com or follow on Twitter @lambethpoly.
Visit the tunnel on Thursday May 2 or Saturday May 11, from 11am – 2pm
