DEC in Schools and The Surestart Workshops

In 2003, Fairfield Composting became an incorporated company and set up a pilot demonstration centre in Debdale Park with an award from The Big Lottery SEED Programme. Six schools visited Debdale on a weekly basis to learn about organic gardening, particularly the production of food and the importance of recycling and home composting. The project was a huge success and by the end of the year had a waiting list of schools wishing to participate. The relationship built up with the schools as a result of this project still continues today.

Working in partnership with MEEN (Manchester Environmental Education Network), DEP (Development Education Project) and MERCi (Manchester Environmental Resource Centre initiative), we have jointly applied to the Big Lottery Reaching Communities programme to fund an after school gardening club outreach worker over three years (from 2007/08).

In 2006, we worked with SureStart on a healthy eating and growing project with pre-school-age tots and their parents. The project ended when funding for transport was withdrawn. DEC is currently working with SureStart's Mount Road, Gorton Children's Centre to set up a sensory and kitchen garden, and we have applied to the Joint Health Unit for funding to deliver a healthy eating project to needy families in Gorton, but were turned down.