Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Green fingered students share recipe for success
Their involvement in Back to Front (BtoF) - a project set up by Roxana Summers of NHS Leeds, provides ideas for people living in the inner city to use their front gardens to grow fruit and vegetables.
The students' handiwork, ideas and design skills, have been captured in a book - The Back to Front Manual, which will be officially launched at the Compton Road Library in the Compton Centre between 4-6pm on Friday May 11.
Emma Oldroyd, senior lecturer and landscape architect from Leeds Metropolitan University, who is the book's main author, said that working on the project has provided an excellent experience for Leeds Metropolitan students, predominantly from the landscape architecture course but also involving the architects, 3D designers and PR students too.
She commented: "The manual aims to inspire people to grow food in front gardens in a resourceful way. It shows what can be achieved, answers common questions about growing and showcases innovative design ideas to save money and space. The manual will be available for download and is also available through local libraries and community centres."
The project's aims to 'reduce, reuse and recycle', invites people to use household items and goods such as wire and tyres to make planters.
BtoF started as a result of seeing how Bangladeshi families in Leeds successfully grew all kinds of tasty food including spinach, garlic, coriander, beans and pumpkins in their front gardens.
Roxana Summers, of NHS Leeds, commented: "Apart from increased exercise and healthy eating, the project contributes towards other aspects of health and wellbeing like increased community cohesion, reduced isolation, better mental health outcomes and neighbourhood pride."
In reference to the book, Roxana, added: "The Back to Front manual is locally researched and is filled with ideas and designs. We are delighted to see the results of all of our ideas and commitment to the project in the publication and would like to present it to the libraries in Leeds at the launch on Friday May 11 at Compton Road Library from 4-6pm."
The event will see some of the ideas in the manual brought to life with demonstrations. Guest speakers will include author Emma Oldroyd and Back to Front gardener and volunteer Iris Leite.
For more information and to confirm your attendance at the launch contact Miros Saridakis on 0113 3057447 or email miros.saridakis@nhsleeds.nhs.uk