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Our mini growing space

York

My Mini Growing Space is a small woodland or edible teaching garden that we help you create for your school, community group, or local organisation. It’s an accessible and empowering way to turn an underused outdoor space into a vibrant hub for learning, growing, and connecting.

Exciting News!
We’re thrilled to share that My Mini Growing Space has won the 2024 International Montessori Award for Community Learning Initiative of the Year from Montessori Global Education.
Here’s what the judges had to say:
“Growing Space emphasizes hands-on learning through gardening, mirroring Montessori’s focus on practical life skills and connecting with nature. It fosters family and community involvement through art projects and volunteering days, building a strong school community — a crucial element in Montessori education. The nomination alone highlights the project’s value to local communities. Growing Space exemplifies the essence of Montessori education, creating positive, inclusive environments that support well-being, nature connection, and community spirit.”

Read more here: https://montessori-globaleducation.org/awards-2024/

Get Started Today!
We’ll help you launch your own Mini Growing Space with a simple, step-by-step process, designed to make it easy, even for complete beginners! Our approach empowers children, adults and communities to get growing with confidence, creativity, and joy.

The 5-Step Process

  1. Site Audit & Visit
    A Growing Space expert will assess your outdoor space — in person or via a virtual tour.
  2. Design & Planning
    We’ll co-design a space that fits your vision, goals, and budget.
  3. Preparation & Materials
    You’ll get support sourcing plants, compost, timber, tools — everything you need.
  4. Build & Execute
    Guidance through the construction of your garden with expert support.
  5. Planting & Community Events
    Finalise your planting plan and receive ideas for future workshops and gatherings.

Who Can Apply?
This initiative is open to:

  • Small schools, churches, libraries, community centres, and local groups or
  • Anyone with access to a small, underused or neglected outdoor space
  • Groups passionate about nature, sustainability, education, or well-being
    Whether your goal is to grow fresh food, promote mental health, meet sustainability targets, or simply offer a meaningful outdoor experience: this project is for you.

What You’ll Receive (Upon Funding Approval)
Expert Support:

  • 1 Site visit (in person or virtual)
  • 3 One-on-one coaching sessions with a Growing Space expert
  • Weekly Q&A access or direct email/text support for 8 weeks
    Digital Toolkit:
    A customised, comprehensive resource covering:
  • Basic gardening and horticulture skills
  • Curriculum-linked activities (if needed)
  • Sustainability and seasonal gardening tips
  • Event planning for family and community days
  • Group management and behaviour guidance in outdoor settings
  • Year-round garden care advice
    And much more!

We’re here to help you create a green space that inspires learning, connection, and growth — and we’ll support you every step of the way.

My Mini Growing Space is a small woodland or edible teaching garden that we help you create for your school, community group, or local organisation. It’s an accessible and empowering way to turn an underused outdoor space into a vibrant hub for learning, growing, and connecting.

Exciting News!
We’re thrilled to share that My Mini Growing Space has won the 2024 International Montessori Award for Community Learning Initiative of the Year from Montessori Global Education.
Here’s what the judges had to say:
“Growing Space emphasizes hands-on learning through gardening, mirroring Montessori’s focus on practical life skills and connecting with nature. It fosters family and community involvement through art projects and volunteering days, building a strong school community — a crucial element in Montessori education. The nomination alone highlights the project’s value to local communities. Growing Space exemplifies the essence of Montessori education, creating positive, inclusive environments that support well-being, nature connection, and community spirit.”

Read more here: https://montessori-globaleducation.org/awards-2024/

Get Started Today!
We’ll help you launch your own Mini Growing Space with a simple, step-by-step process, designed to make it easy, even for complete beginners! Our approach empowers children, adults and communities to get growing with confidence, creativity, and joy.

The 5-Step Process

  1. Site Audit & Visit
    A Growing Space expert will assess your outdoor space — in person or via a virtual tour.
  2. Design & Planning
    We’ll co-design a space that fits your vision, goals, and budget.
  3. Preparation & Materials
    You’ll get support sourcing plants, compost, timber, tools — everything you need.
  4. Build & Execute
    Guidance through the construction of your garden with expert support.
  5. Planting & Community Events
    Finalise your planting plan and receive ideas for future workshops and gatherings.

Who Can Apply?
This initiative is open to:

  • Small schools, churches, libraries, community centres, and local groups or
  • Anyone with access to a small, underused or neglected outdoor space
  • Groups passionate about nature, sustainability, education, or well-being
    Whether your goal is to grow fresh food, promote mental health, meet sustainability targets, or simply offer a meaningful outdoor experience: this project is for you.

What You’ll Receive (Upon Funding Approval)
Expert Support:

  • 1 Site visit (in person or virtual)
  • 3 One-on-one coaching sessions with a Growing Space expert
  • Weekly Q&A access or direct email/text support for 8 weeks
    Digital Toolkit:
    A customised, comprehensive resource covering:
  • Basic gardening and horticulture skills
  • Curriculum-linked activities (if needed)
  • Sustainability and seasonal gardening tips
  • Event planning for family and community days
  • Group management and behaviour guidance in outdoor settings
  • Year-round garden care advice
    And much more!

We’re here to help you create a green space that inspires learning, connection, and growth — and we’ll support you every step of the way.

Christine Banham
Christine Banham

We have completed the creation of the outdoor space and are now working on support for plants as well as growing our fruit and vegetables. A detailed report is attached.

Pascale Rochefeuille
Pascale Rochefeuille

Well done! Excited to help your project getting started! Please do add your bank details as soon as you can so we can move your project forward!

Christine Banham
Christine Banham

All our information is in the attached document.  Our team meeting was held with some of the young people in the section.  Please don't use this photo in any social media.

 

Action plan:

Timeline: When will you be able to start your project? How often will your team meet? Are there any key dates to share for the project?

Budget: You don't need to share exact prices, but please share how you're planning to spend the seed funding & what costs you're anticipating to get your project up and running:

Impact: How will your community benefit from this project? Do you have any measurable goals for your project, such as the number of people that will participate? Are you hoping to spread knowledge or increase interest in a specific subject?

Location: If your project requires physical space, have you decided the location? Do you have all necessary permission and permits to carry out your project at the chosen location?

Additional questions

Please answer the questions below as much as you can. 

Growing Space will review the information you provide before your kickstart call. 

This will help save time and get you started straight on your project once you receive your seed funding!



  • Age group of those involved in the project:




  • Number of children/adults the project will benefit:




  • Future activities: describe the activities you aim to run in the future with your Growing Space (for example: gardening, forest school, herb tasting with parents/neighbours/extended families of children/elderly people, etc.):




  • Material/trees: what trees/structure(s) or features do you already have in site? (if none, just answer 'none'):




  • Does your site have water access?




  • Do you want to install a water butt (not obligatory) 




  • Please confirm in one sentence that you have permission from a manager or landlord (of the building or head of a school  (as necessary) saying that they are happy to make the improvement of their outdoor space and let you lead the project




  • What is the exact measurement/size of the proposed space for your My Mini Growing Space?




  • Please upload a few pictures of the site and from different angles (ideally 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon, when the sun is out)"




  • What time of the day does the space get the most sun and for how long?




  • If you have the plans, a sketch, or a rough drawing of the space you intend to use, please upload it as part of your Action Plan



That’s all for now! 

We are excited to get you started!

Matthew Smith joined Our mini growing space a My Mini Growing Space group about 2 years ago
Sam Ford joined Our mini growing space a My Mini Growing Space group about 2 years ago
Ellison Poyner joined Our mini growing space a My Mini Growing Space group about 2 years ago
Adam Fells joined Our mini growing space a My Mini Growing Space group about 2 years ago
Christine Banham joined Our mini growing space a My Mini Growing Space group about 2 years ago

About Our mini growing space

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Who's Involved

Christine Banham
Christine Banham
Contact Person

Team & Members (5)

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