Base de données des projets PDR

The Routes 2 Life project offers training in horticulture, agriculture and other traditional skills and promotes local networking bringing local people together and opening up opportunities for employment.

With nearly 300 farms in the county borough, there is a great agricultural tradition in Caerphilly. There are many producers and micro-enterprises in the county's rural areas. The concept of Routes 2 Life was born with ideas from within Groundwork Caerphilly. They identified a gap in the current provision of training and employability as no one in Caerphilly had used the resource of the environment, horticulture and traditional skills as mechanisms to help individuals improve their life skills.

This LEADER supported project is part of the "Rural Industry and Produce" initiative of the County, which seeks to support locally based approaches to rural development. Its main objectives were to explore and capitalise on the potential of local agricultural producers and enterprises for boosting employment, the skills of local people, the local rural economy generally and to encourage a "buy local" attitude.

Routes 2 Life offers training in horticulture, agriculture and other traditional skills to people in the Caerphilly County. Volunteers participate in a variety of horticultural activities, learning in both an informal and formal manner. The produce grown is showcased at local farmers markets and community events enabling participants to further develop their skills through attending these events.

The project has contributed to the improvement of employment prospects, for training participants as well as social cohesion. Volunteers had the opportunity to team work and benefit from working in a natural environment, while learning a variety of practical skills. 47 people gained a qualification and 28 people implemented their skills developed.In the longer term the project is expected to contribute to the employment of local people and the strengthening of the local rural economy.

The main lesson learned is that for this form of training project there needs to be a consistent number of beneficiaries, ideally between 4-7 each day to undertake and keep on top of the tasks on site (such as weeding, planting, growing). A larger number may present difficulties for the staff, as the range of the abilities of the beneficiaries varies and some individuals need more support from staff than others.

Pontllanfraith, Caerphilly.

Wales

Wales

418 449

334 759

83 690

Bryan Dando, Katy Stevenson

bryan.dando@groundwork.org.uk

+ 44 1495 222605

English