September 10, 2024
Growing Seeds of Love at PSS
Growing Seeds of Love at PSS
At PSS, we’re super passionate about sustainability and being kinder to our planet, and we are always looking for new and exciting ways to support our teammates and the people we support to be a part of that too. It’s not just the day-to-day things like turning off light switches and recycling our soup tins (though we do that too), but also through gardening projects, wellbeing nature walks, and most recently, growing our own vegetables.
Back in February, we launched our ‘Growing Seeds of Love’ tomato-growing competition, a playful challenge between our offices and centres aimed at teaching people to grow their own veggies, encouraging teamwork, sustainability, and a bit of healthy rivalry. Each region was tasked with nurturing their own tomato plants, and the results so far have been nothing short of inspiring!
Where the idea came from
Tomatoes are not only delicious but super healthy, and they’re a tasty way to get your five a day. As an organisation focused on supporting people to live happy and healthy lives, we felt that growing something tangible, like tomatoes, reflects the values we hold ourselves to. It’s also a great way for people to learn more about growing their own fruit and veg, a reason to get out into nature, and of course, it’s sustainable! Less store-bought fruit and veg also means less plastic – result! Plus, it’s a fantastic way to bring people together and focus on something fun and fresh (pun intended!).
How we’re getting on
Here’s a sneak peek at how the tomato plants are faring in various locations:
PSS Head Office, Eleanor Rathbone House
Our HQ team kicked things off with an indoor windowsill setup. Despite the cooler (and rainier) Liverpool weather outside, they’ve managed to create a perfect environment for their tomatoes to thrive. Their plants are already sprouting bright green leaves, and the first few tommies are starting to appear. We’ve had some of our fabulous Making Days volunteers popping upstairs each day to make sure the plants are getting enough sunlight and water.
Tomatoes grown at ERH
2. Hans in Botton
Hans, one of our ace Shared Lives carers in Botton, has wasted no time with his setup. Hans has taken a more exciting approach, he’s trying to grow a new type of tomatoe! He’s also incorporated the use of a polytunnel with lots of space and natural light to really help them thrive!
3. Simone’s Garden
Simone, our head of quality, has decided to use her own garden to grow her tomatoes. She wanted a hands-on approach so she could enjoy watching them grow. It looks like they’re in the perfect sunny spot to thrive!
4. Rebecca’s Garden
Rebecca, who is part of our Shared Lives North Yorkshire, is a first-time veggie grower, but that hasn’t stopped her from giving it her all. Not only has she taken on the challenge of tomatoes, but she’s also tried her hand at growing aubergines too! Rebecca’s going to be in for a delicious meal very soon!
The ‘Growing Seeds of Love’ competition isn’t just about tomatoes. It’s about watching something grow from scratch, nurturing it with care, and celebrating each step of the way. We can’t wait to see which office takes the prize!
Stay tuned for more updates!