Around Ealing Winter 2021 | Page 29

CLIMATE ACTION

garden , along with a sensory garden and a vegetarian café using produce they have grown and some of their own recipes .

‘ SEEING GAPS AND BRIDGING THEM ’ “ It ’ s a process from farm to fork , basically ,” said Dina . “ Growing something and then learning how to make something with it .

“ In the Edible Gardens , we teach people how to grow their own food and so many people get involved and they take ownership of it . Residents can take the produce to eat , and we wanted it to be very accessible .

“ Then , in the kitchen , we show people how to use the food to make healthy and easy meals – and we also show them how to shop , too .”

They run workshops on climate change as well as the cooking and growing , and also have visits from experts on careers , nutrition and more .

Daughters Angelee and Diya have helped to take the lead in the cooking workshops , and they have even set up a new YouTube channel to take their healthy eating message to more kids ( visit youtube . com / cookingkidsgrowingkids ). And their friend Ruby has become a garden monitor . “ It ’ s all brought people together and got people talking to each other and so it has turned into a social project too ,” said Dina . “ People look out for each other and engage in a way they hadn ’ t before , which is exactly what Building Bridges is about : Seeing gaps and bridging everything together .”

PROUD TO BE A CLIMATE LEADER “ Turning grey spaces green is a passion of mine , and the environmental benefits of what we are doing are so important ,” said Dina . “ Everything I do is so close to my heart ; and it is overwhelming to think that we are helping to make a difference to the world , not just to people ’ s lives , by teaching them little lifestyle changes .

“ Being made a climate leader makes me proud and I hope lots of the children will become leaders in their own right .”

‘ MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT A LOCAL LEVEL ’ Councillor Deirdre Costigan , the council ’ s cabinet member for climate action , said : “ The council is fully committed to meeting the urgent challenge posed by the climate crisis , but we cannot do it alone . We need the support of residents and community organisations as well . That is why it is hugely encouraging to see so many climate leaders doing great work across the borough and making a difference at a local level .”

MORE INFO

n Read the full story about Building Bridges , Urban Edible Gardens and Cooking Kids at aroundealing . com / news / growing-green – including a video n Email the council ’ s climate action team at climateaction @ ealing . gov . uk to find out more about becoming a climate leader