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Fones for Foods - Alderman & Bowen

Having seen many different adverts encouraging people to sell their old mobile phones for cash, BEST Action Lead Shirley James suggested the idea to BEST Leader Lisa Deehon, to raise money for their day centre . With the closure of some Day Centres and contributions from staff and friends, Shirley and the team were able to collect 30 phones. In addition, the team expanded their recycling programme by collecting batteries and printer cartridges. With a modest £5.20 raised, the team decided to use the money to extend the Kitchen Garden idea, set up by the Mary Rose Unit, a part of the day centre providing support for older adults with learning disabilities.

A range of seeds were bought with the money, along with seeds donated by Shirley from her allotment. The original kitchen garden had grown herbs and strawberries; with the additional seeds bought, it was expanded to grow a large variety of produce; from cabbages to carrots, parsnips to potatoes and chilli to cucumbers. The produce was then prepared , cooked and eaten by service users at Mary Rose Unit. Excess produce was sold to the local community and visitors to the centre with any profits put back into developing the project further.

Shirley and her team had taken some of the service users to see her and other allotments to show them the processes of growing vegetables on a large scale . Allotment owners, Roy, Gill and Norman became interested in the project and helped with advice and have donated any spare produce and flowers they have grown.

Owing to the work of the project, the Day Centre got involved with the West Midland Network Flower Show. The show organised by Cultivations, a registered charity that works with, and for, people within our society who are less able, disadvantaged or elderly, through the use of therapeutic horticulture. Over the three years the day centre has been going, they have won many 1st and 2nd prizes in various categories from flowers to a variety of vegetables, to jam and chutneys.

Shirley said, "This gardening group has been of great benefit to our service users and the whole centre, giving them opportunities to develop new skills and experience new activities".

If you are interested in getting involved with the gardening group by way of donating old phones, empty glass bottles, offering your time or more excitingly buying their produce , contact Shirley James and her team at Alderman and Bowen Day Centre , 125 Broadway Avenue, Bordesley Green, 69 5YD on 766 7383 or email her on lotus notes.