Research Materials

Community food-growing and urban agriculture projects help well-being in the following ways:

•   The work itself is therapeutic for participants, because it involves hands-on and useful achievements that reduce stress levels and support their mental health.

• ·         The urban agriculture setting is advantageous in offering people a routine that is easy to understand and engage with. Working with plants or animals allows participants to have space and tasks to themselves, with their routine guided by the care needs of the plants or animals. The process of caring for something encourages satisfaction and self-esteem.
• ·         Simply working physically, outdoors and in a natural environment, contributes to mental well-being for participants.

• ·         Communities developed through food-growing and urban agriculture projects help participants to feel part of something with other people. Supportive relationships relieve stress and improve self-esteem.

Community food growing and urban agriculture projects have particular strengths in this respect. They were seen to develop the following transferable skills:

• ·         Self-management and personal responsibility

Learning to behave appropriately and to meet expectations in the work that is done.

• ·         Problem solving

The ability to understand practical problems or interpersonal problems and to address them.

• ·         Teamwork and communication skills

The ability to work well in a team, to support others, or to lead others.


These is few example of simple urban agriculture: