Roots and Shoots

The community garden Roots and Shoots, in Kennington, has been the base for the Grounding Project, gardening and support for refugees and asylum seekers, started by Gemma Eke and Myriam Sarens and has hosted the first workshop sessions for Flock Project.

Roots and Shoots provides vocational training for young people from the inner city, mainly from the London boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark. The charity aims to give them the skills and self-confidence that will equip them for work. The charity was set up in 1982 by Linda Phillips, who is still the Director, to help young people from Lambeth and Southwark prepare for the world of work. Up to thirty 16-25 year olds who have had difficulty coping in the traditional educational system spend a year learning with us.

Alongside this training they involve local schools and the wider community by establishing the site as an important green space for urban biodiversity.