Urban Farm DB
Research catalogue
Database research record2020·United Kingdom

Shoots and leaves: exploring the impacts and fragile sustainability of sustainable place-making projects working with marginalised people

Sam Ramsden

Voluntary Sector Review

Urban Farm DB summary

This article explored an externally funded charity-led project in a deprived area of the UK, implementing urban agriculture, community gardening, and household energy activities. The project successfully engaged marginalized people, who strongly voiced outcomes including reduced isolation, improved mental health, and increased resilience and self-reliance. Environmental outcomes were less tangible but included improvements to the local environment and reduced energy usage. However, after the funding finished, marginalized participants were vulnerable to outcomes not being sustained in the long term.