Publish date: 6 June 2023
Children and parents at Greenside Lane Children’s Centre in Droylsden recently learnt the basics of growing their own fruit and vegetables as part of a project by student health visitor Ioana Crichton.
Ioana, who previously worked as a midwife and is now training to become a health visitor, set up the project as part of her 12-month course.
She said: “As part of the training to become a health visitor specialist community public health nurse (SCPHN), students are asked to create a project that will benefit local children and families. Having worked in Droylsden for the last six months I thought it would be a great idea to teach our young children, and, in some cases parents, how to grow fruit and vegetables with very basic materials.
"What’s great about this idea is you hardly need any space to do it, a simple pot, soil and seeds are all you need to get going and in just a matter of days, with a little bit of care and attention, you can see green shoots appear.
“This project does not just encourage discussions around healthy eating, but as the project develops it will also enable them to try some of the vegetables they have grown.
"Whilst I will focus on reducing childhood obesity by encouraging healthy eating habits through growing your own vegetables, which is linked with children willing to try new foods; being outdoors will also encourage the development of their gross and small motor skills, it will also help them develop their cognitive skills through counting the seeds, experiencing different textures, etc.
"Furthermore, being outdoors is linked with improved mental health for children as well as adults,” Ioana added.
Karen James OBE, Chief Executive at Tameside and Glossop IC NHS FT, said: “It’s great to see Ioana’s project so well received. Teaching our children how to grow their own fruit and vegetables is an invaluable skill which they can do throughout their lives.
"A healthy balanced diet is part of giving children the best possible start and I think this project really captures that ethos.”