The project kicked off with the installation of our new food composting system, funded by Tower Hamlets Council. Our friends from SEEit Working Trust and Old Tree Soil collaborated on integrating a solution that will help us reduce our food waste, introducing a composting system for scratch testing a community garden.

 

 

On installation day, the Rich Mix and OITIJ-JO teams helped install the new composter in our yard, enjoying a demonstration and getting to grip with how it works – ready to use in future workshops.

 

 

With our new system in place, food waste from our kitchens will be put to great use, nourishing our community garden and generating soil for green projects in our community.

 

 

As part of the project, we also began working on a series of creative community workshops led by OITIJ-JO, focusing on raising awareness of food waste practices, ways to reduce carbon emissions and how to garden in creative and culturally specific ways.  

Supported by National Lottery Community Fund and Tower Hamlets Council, the sessions are an exciting family-friendly programme of workshops, market stalls and performances from the OITIJ-JO community, centred around food sustainability.

 

 

Taking place on select Sundays, the workshops include fun and easy ways to enjoy food more sustainably, recipes for preserves, and strategies to reduce food waste at home. Involving taste tests and fun activities for the whole family, the project kicked off in November 2024 and will continue into 2025. 

 

I learnt new recipes and had fun with my family! 
Participant

 

 

This project has provided our team members with lots of opportunities to learn and grow. 
OITIJ-JO

 

 

Last year we delivered six autumn themed workshops, with each session focusing on new activities and skills. We created fruit leather from excess fruit, making preserves and chutneys, henna dyes from food waste, pot painting and seed planting.

 

Working with SeeIt Working Trust and Old Tree Soil has been vital in offering upskilling opportunities as well as providing connections for further collaboration and awareness raising among our participants, audiences, team members and wider community.  
Sian, Project Partner

 

We are so excited to be working together on this project, learning together with our community and ensuring we are making eco-conscious choices, whilst celebrating cuisine, culture and community.

In 2025 we will develop the project with a particular focus on gardening, greening, reducing waste and food justice. Workshops will equip participants with tools and strategies for lowering their carbon footprint and fostering appreciation for green space in Tower Hamlets.  Stay tuned for updates!

 

EVERYONE A MAKER WORKSHOPS SUPPORTED BY