Can you believe our fantastic Growhampton project was established here at the University of Roehampton a mere 18 months ago? So much has happened since then and it’s been quite an incredible journey.

Our sustainability project aims to bring good food to the campus and beyond to the local community. It all started with areas of unused gardens and lawns which we converted into productive growing sites. We started teaching students how to grow their own vegetables and take an interest in healthy eating and lifestyles.

Then we opened our sustainable shipping container café that has transformed an area of our campus into a lively social hub. Here we serve local and ethical food and drink and promote these sustainable choices to our lovely customers. We work with local community organisations such as Regenerate’s Feel Good Bakery which makes our delicious sandwiches and Lazaro Bakery which supply our pastries and sour dough. We're looking to strengthen our presence in the community as we move forward and that’s where you come in!

The Hive Cafe is physically made of retired shipping containers. We're currently crowdfunding to triple the inside seating space at The Hive Café by adding an extra shipping container to the structure.

The additional income from being able to seat extra customers gives the project a secure future as it approaches the end of its current external funding, whilst also enabling more students, staff and community members to use the space and enjoy sustainable food. The Hive Café is how we fund our work – we're a not for profit organisation so all the income we generate goes directly into the training, education and events that we love to run for the people of Roehampton.

Growhampton would like to ask you and the local community at large to support this magnificent cause. There are great rewards for each pledge and there are pledges suitable for every budget – anything from a cup of coffee to having your name in shining lights on the container’s wall of fame so that you will always belong here on campus, or even a private party at The Hive for you and twenty-five of your friends.  

Thanks for your continued support.

Joel

Joel Williams is the Grower for the University of Roehampton Students’ Union’s Growhampton project