Torridge Growing Together CIC

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Find out more about Torridge Growing Together CIC

How did we start?

We started as a small community gardening group in the spring of 2023, in response to local need. Other gardening and supported employment projects in the Bideford area of Devon had closed down, and the local mental health and other services were being greatly reduced. This had left many people isolated and without purpose and support. TTVS (Torridge Voluntary Services) sowed the initial seed by approaching members of Bideford Work Club to ascertain interest and find someone to lead the project. Bideford Library, by offering us space to meet, became the propagator in which we could start to grow into a flourishing organisation. Some people joined through referrals from other organisations and many others through word of mouth. It soon became apparent that we would have to become incorporated and it was the TGT supporters themselves who decided that they would prefer to become a CIC rather than a charity as they wished to be able to generate income through trading and thus ‘become part of the solution’. On 21st November, 2023 we officially became Torridge Growing Together CIC. 

Who is involved?

We have a team of 3 directors, who between them have decades of experience in supporting people to develop skills and confidence, in addition to understanding the beneficial effects of connecting to nature and being creative. We have a committed steering group of active volunteers, many of whom have been with the project since its inception. We also have a wonderful, diverse collection of supporters and volunteers who are involved in all aspects of the organisation. Everyone’s ideas and suggestions (from logos to logistics) are respected and actioned, where possible. As funds allow, we pay experienced, self-employed enablers to support individuals and groups, thus extending the range of activities we can offer.

What do we do and why?

We are a friendly, welcoming group with a vision for ‘growing people’ through community gardening, conservation and creating upcycled and nature-friendly items. We believe that this can improve people’s mental and physical health as well as tackling isolation and food poverty, plus helping to improve the local environment.

We encourage people to develop friendships and skills and also to share their knowledge. We grow our own ‘Gardening Buddies’ and other peer mentors, who can support other volunteers. We are also developing supported employment options. We have excellent links with other organisations and also several referral agencies, which truly enables everyone to grow together.

Allotment at Bideford Station

This was where we began in the early summer of 2023!
We are pleased to be able to grow produce and flowers on this plot, which is managed by Bideford Sustainability Group.
This is still very much a work in progress as we take on additional areas and add new features, like raised beds. We share this area with our friends at Bideford Men’s Shed.

Image of two people wearing yellow Hi-Vis vests tying up some bamboo canes in an allotment garden.
An image showing a small allotment plot with flowers, vegetables and raised bed.
An image showing 5 people, wearing yellow Hi-Vis, working in an allotment, constructing raised beds.

The Marland Allotment

We were very fortunate to secure 5 large, wheelchair-accessible raised beds on this site in June, 2024 and managed a surprisingly good first harvest to share.
We added a polytunnel in the autumn and have taken on additional growing areas (and management of the wildlife area) in 2025.
We can accommodate more people on this site and there is still plenty of work to do here, too!

An image, showing 2 people seated, one in a wheelchair, working on a raised bed in an allotment.
An image, showing a range of vegetables on a potting bench.
An image showing 4 people, wearing yellow Hi-Vis, constructing benching in a new polytunnel.

Working at Clovelly Court Gardens

Thanks to a series of grant funding* since September, 2024, we have been able to offer transport and enablers to take people to work at this beautiful garden, guided by Head Gardener, Neil. Thanks also to Allan of Ilfracombe Community Transport for providing the minibus.

[*The National Grid Community Matters Fund, Devon County Council Growing Communities Fund and Bideford Regeneration Board]

Image of 4 people working in a polytunnel, potting on plants.
An image of 6 people standing on a path in a Victorian walled garden.

Projects with Little Green Town, Bideford

We have been working on a number of projects to brighten up the town with Lizz (The ‘Postcode Gardener’), including planting bulbs in Victoria Park and our latest project (Funded by Kew Grow Wild) to create a wildflower meadow area in a corner of Old Town Gardens.

An image of 9 people, wearing Hi-Vis jackets, planting bulbs in a flower bed in a park.
An image of 2 people, wearing Hi-Vis vests, planting wildflowers in a park.

Creative Craft, Media and Sales

Mainly over the winter months, we find somewhere warm and dry to create all sorts of upcycled and nature-friendly crafts, which offers both a therapeutic activity plus some items to sell to raise funds. We are also developing a media team and we are looking forward expanding this side of our work once we have settled in our own base.

An image of 3 people, smiling at the camera and holding wreaths made from natural materials.
An image of a group of people sitting at tables, creating craft items out of scrap material.
An image of a plant and craft stall set up inside a church building.

Growing Towards Employment

We have a ‘Growing Towards Employment’ scheme to help those who have been out of work for a long time to create an action plan and enable them to overcome barriers and develop skills and confidence. We can offer a range of volunteering roles to provide practical work experience and develop transferrable skills such as communication, teamwork problem solving. We also work closely with Learn Devon to support people to gain qualifications and can help with CVs and job applications.

A group of 6 people, working as a team, constructing a large storage bench.

Trading for Good

Throughout 2025, we are being encouraged to increase our trade income as part of the School of Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) Trading for Good: Community Business Programme. We have been selling plants and craft items and have moved into offering some gardening services as a team. This links very well with our ‘Growing Towards Employment’ scheme, as it is great for developing employability skills in addition to providing us with a much-needed income stream.

An image of a plant and craft stall set up inside a church building.
Image of 4 people wearing yellow Hi-Vis vests and working in a garden, tidying a bank.

What next?

We need ‘Time and Space’ to grow. The demand for our services is outstripping our capacity, so we must find the means to lease (or buy!) our own base from which to work, in addition to developing our staffing levels.

Could you help?

We always need willing volunteers who could help us with:

  • Finding a suitable (and affordable) base for a craft workshop, storage and office/retail
  • Gardening and practical activities (especially ‘Gardening Buddies’)
  • Designing, making and selling items
  • Increasing our traded income
  • Fundraising activities and grant applications
  • Media and publicity (including helping to develop this website!)
  • Governance and administration
  • Sourcing materials and equipment for gardening and craft