Press release -
Local volunteers transform Bournville space with winning garden design
A group of 28 Mondelēz International volunteers recently began creating an exciting new colleague-designed garden space at a former bowling green and pavilion in Bournville.
As part of the company’s award-winning Health for Life® programme and collaborating with community partner The Conservation Volunteers, they recently launched a competition for employees to design a welcoming and productive colleague garden to take shape in the former Bowls Pavilion space adjacent to the Mondelēz International factory and offices in Bournville.
Funded by Mondelēz International and supported by The Conservation Volunteers, the Health for Life® programme has created 20 community food-growing sites over the last thirteen years, where local residents across south Birmingham have been able to get outdoors and grow their own fruit and vegetables.
The latest site at Bournville has given Mondelēz International employees the opportunity to create their own space for this purpose.
Guided by the winning design from a colleague in the Research & Development department, the team of 28 volunteers from the Bournville site worked hard on the initial launch day, shaping the garden’s structure by building raised beds, placing new paths, and planting red onions, which will over-winter until next year.
Work is set to continue over the coming months, with further volunteering opportunities for colleagues and plans to plant a variety of crops throughout winter.
Kelly Farrell, community affairs manager at Mondelēz International, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many of our employees get involved in creating this new colleague space, from our design
winner who created a beautiful and practical concept, to the group who volunteered to start bringing the garden to life.
“We’re extremely proud to continue to fund our Health for Life® programme, which actively engages children and adults in healthier lifestyles. Our colleagues regularly volunteer to help develop and maintain the programmes community growing spaces and this new garden marks an opportunity for them to get more immediately involved in growing fruit and vegetables.
Glenn Powell, team leader at TCV, added: “We’re thrilled to support the Health for Life® programme, empowering communities to make healthier choices and supporting conservation projects in the local area.
“This new colleague garden space will not only transform a previously simple green area into something beautiful, but offer both learning and volunteering opportunities, allowing colleagues to continue to enjoy time outside maintaining the garden, and we’re excited to watch the garden bloom and to utilise its produce in the future.”
For more information on Mondelēz International, visit www.mondelezinternational.com.
About Mondelēz International
Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2024 net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion, Mondelēz International is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as Oreo, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate; and Sour Patch Kids candy. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
About Health for Life®
- Health for Life is an evidence-based programme supporting children and adults in Birmingham to live healthier lifestyles by engaging people in growing food, physical activity, healthy eating and cookery.
- Health for Life was introduced in 2011, funded by Mondelēz International with an investment of £5.2 million to date, and delivered in schools by Services For Education and in the community by The Conservation Volunteers.
- The programme has now engaged 229 Birmingham schools comprising 185 primary, 26 nursery and 18 secondary schools benefitting 81,600 pupils. It has also involved around 185,000 adults in the city including teachers, parents and community members, with a total reach of around 266,600 people.
- Over 1,440 Mondelēz International employee volunteers have given practical support to programme schools and community spaces.
- Health for Life has developed 20 community food growing spaces and continues to deliver Green Gym activities in seven locations.
- The programme has received national acclaim, receiving the Food and Drinks Federation Health and Wellbeing Award; Business in the Community’s ‘Big Tick’ and awards for both the Health for Lifeshow garden and separate schools’ wheelbarrow displays at BBC Gardeners’ World.
About The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)
TCV is the delivery partner for Health for Life in the community. Every day TCV works across the UK to create healthier and happier communities for everyone - communities where its activities have a lasting impact on people’s health, prospects and outdoor places. TCV does this by bringing people together to create, improve and care for green spaces. From local parks and community gardens to Local Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest; from school grounds and hospital grounds to waterways, wetlands and woodlands; connecting people to the green spaces that form a vital part of any healthy, happy community. As part of Health for Life in the community, TCV delivers Green Gym sessions which help people get active outdoors, improving their environment and growing their own fruit and vegetables for a healthier lifestyle.
For more information visit http://www.tcv.org.uk/midlands/health-for-life
Follow us on https://twitter.com/TCV_Birmingham or https://www.facebook.com/HealthForLifeInTheCommunity
