The Brushstrokes project was set up near Birmingham, UK, 25 years ago. Over the years we have found many creative ways of helping the people to help themselves. In this account of our Community allotment we have combined a commitment to helping the needy with caring for our Common Home.
The dream began in 2023, thanks to donated space from the local Council and the courage of our Operations’ Manager, Henry Joy. Henry engaged volunteers, many of whom were asylum seekers; they were very happy to be involved in the growing of vegetables, and to work in the community. This was also a great opportunity to learn new skills, and speakers of other languages could practise their English. After a few months the allotment was contributing a steady supply of fresh vegetables to our foodbank and community café at Brushstrokes.
Produce now includes spring greens, spinach, beans, onions, garlic, potatoes, lettuce and tomatoes. It gives Brushstrokes much joy to be able to alleviate the cost of living especially for those who are most needy in the community, and for our volunteers to have great fun and satisfaction in the process.
In August 2024, funding allowed us to expand the project. A further 20 planters were purchased, also some poly tunnels, a shed, tables and chairs, and it enabled us to employ a coordinator for the project.
Julian had just finished 5 years work at Cornwall’s Eden Project and has an NVQ5 qualification in agriculture. He now works with a team of willing volunteers in the allotment. They have set up a new planting space and have established the poly-tunnels, which means that vegetables can be grown all year round. Now we have a flourishing fruit and vegetable garden ready to supply our food bank and community café.
As the weather improves, the team is making great progress in the setting up of a leisure area which will include a sensory garden and a selection of flowering trees and grape vines. This will provide a beautiful outdoor green space which can be enjoyed by those who come to Brushstrokes. We also hope to welcome and inspire others to come and see us and start growing food for themselves. Sr. Margaret Walsh
Let us pray with Pope Francis:
‘O God of the poor,help us to rescue the abandonedand forgotten of this earth,so precious in your eyes.Bring healing to our lives,that we may protect the world and not prey on it,that we may sow beauty,not pollution and destruction.Touch the heartsof those who look only for gainat the expense of the poor and the earth.Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,to be filled with awe and contemplation,to recognize that we are profoundly unitedwith every creatureas we journey towards your infinite light.We thank you for being with us each day.Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle,for justice, love and peace’.
(A prayer for our earth was published in Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’.)
We should be in the hands of God like a brush in the hand of the painter’ Nicolas Barré
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