We Do Ethical

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Ethical Kitchen Garden.

We Do Ethical has launched the Ethical Kitchen Garden educational programme; a national initiative designed to empower communities across the UK to create organic and sustainable kitchen gardens in underutilised green spaces such as churchyards, public gardens, and community plots.

The programme will create longevity circles through accessible intergenerational learning, bringing young people and older generations together to share skills and knowledge, improving yields and food quality for increased health benefits, while strengthening community bonds. By providing a structured framework, this initiative will enable community groups, churches, and local organisations nationwide to adopt and implement their own Community Kitchen Gardens, helping to rejuvenate urban and rural green spaces into thriving food hubs.

Be part of the pilot for a new national initiative cultivating longevity circles through intergenerational, inclusive food growing. You can send us items through our Amazon Wishlist link below or complete the volunteers form if you'd prefer to get your hands dirty! 

Volunteers Form

The pilot project will launch at St Ambrose Church in Westbourne, Dorset, serving as a model that can be replicated and adapted across the UK.

Planting, Raised Planter Beds & Hedge Rows

In the UK, a commonly recommended size for a raised vegetable bed is about 1.2 meters wide by 2.4 meters long, with a depth of 300 to 450 millimetres. This configuration allows you to comfortably reach the centre of the bed from both sides without stepping on it, while providing ample growing space and good drainage for most vegetables. All dead wood on the land is repurposed into natural hedgerows, creating vital wildlife corridors that provide shelter and food for birds, insects, and small mammals. Also acting as windbreaks, helping to reduce soil erosion and enhance the landscape’s resilience.

Mushroom Trail

Our garden’s woodland area features a dedicated Mushroom Trail where we grow a variety of UK-adapted fungi, including turkey tail, oyster, shiitake, lion’s mane, and mistaké mushrooms. Lion’s mane requires more stable conditions, so it is grown in a polytunnel to maintain the high humidity and cleanliness it needs.

Shepherds Hut

We plan to rejuvenate the old shed on the property into a charming shepherd’s hut, serving as a secure storage space for our tools and supplies while offering a welcoming shelter for volunteers. This revitalised structure will not only preserve the character of the site but also provide a comfortable retreat during breaks encompassing a Bee Hive under the deck, fostering a sense of calm for the community and supporting our team as they work towards cultivating a sustainable environment.

7 Key Objectives...

1. Revitalise Green Spaces – Transform underused land into productive, sustainable kitchen gardens that provide fresh, locally grown food.

2. Promote Intergenerational Learning – Engage young people and older generations in sharing skills, from traditional gardening techniques to modern sustainability practices.

3. Improve Food Security & Nutrition – Increase access to healthy, affordable food while educating communities on sustainable growing and cooking.

4. Strengthen Community Connections – Build a sense of belonging by encouraging collective action and shared responsibility.

5. Conduct Research & Development on Pesticide Alternatives – Collaborate with agricultural research institutions to explore and promote sustainable pest management practices that support UK farming and help restore soil quality from previous degradation caused by intensive agricultural practices.

6. Commit to Chemical-Free, Organic Growing – The pilot project at St Ambrose Church will be 100% organic, using only natural methods for pest control and fertilisation, ensuring a chemical-free growing environment that enhances biodiversity and soil health.

7. Create a Nationally Replicable Model – Develop an adaptable framework for other communities to establish their own kitchen gardens, supported by training materials and guidance.

Step by Step

This step-by-step timescale ensures a replicable annual self-sustaining initiative while benefiting the volunteers, the church, and the broader community. Allowing other local areas to adopt the project nationally.

1. Project & Site Design

2. Site Permissions & Preparations

3. Community Consultation & Engagement

4. Funding Resource & Site Development

5. Monitoring & R&D

6. Evaluation & Key Components Achieved

Key Components

Education & Skills Training

• Sustainable Gardening Workshops – Training on organic farming, composting, soil health, and seasonal planting.
• Intergenerational Skill-Sharing – Pairing experienced gardeners with young volunteers to pass on traditional and modern growing techniques.
• Nutritional Cooking Classes – Teaching participants how to cook fresh, seasonal produce for a healthy diet.
•  Wildlife & Biodiversity Education – Encouraging sustainable practices to protect pollinators and enhance local ecosystems.

Community Engagement & Participation

• School & Youth Group Involvement – Collaborating with local schools to integrate gardening into curriculums.
• Volunteer & Social Groups – Encouraging local residents to get involved through gardening days, seasonal events, and community meals.
• Corporate & Business Partnerships – Engaging local businesses to provide sponsorship, resources, or employee volunteering opportunities.
• Longevity Circles - promote healthy ageing by reducing loneliness, encouraging skill sharing, and fostering purpose through intergenerational activities—helping older adults stay active, connected, and valued within the community.

Research & Development on Pesticide Alternatives & Soil Restoration

• Chemical-Free, Organic Practices – The pilot project at St Ambrose Church will be entirely free from synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers, using only organic methods such as companion planting, crop rotation, and natural pest deterrents.
• Collaborative Research Projects – Partnering with institutions such as Rothamsted Research, a leading agricultural research centre, to study and implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques that reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.
• Field Trials on Soil Regeneration – Conducting trials within community gardens to assess the impact of organic and regenerative farming techniques on soil health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.
• Restoring Soil Depleted by Intensive Agriculture – Testing natural soil amendments, such as compost, biochar, and cover crops, to improve soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability.
• Knowledge Dissemination – Sharing findings with local farmers and the wider agricultural community to support the UK’s goal of reducing environmental harm from pesticides and reversing soil degradation.

National Expansion & Support Framework

• Pilot Project at St Ambrose Church, Westbourne – Establishing the first model site to test and refine the programme.
• Step-by-Step Implementation Guide – A toolkit for other community groups, including guidance on setting up a garden, securing funding, and engaging volunteers.
• Mentorship & Peer Support – Connecting new community garden projects with experienced mentors for guidance and troubleshooting.
• Online Resource Hub – Providing access to educational materials, case studies, and best practices for sustainable community gardening.

Our Promise

At the heart of our garden lies a simple yet profound truth: what we nurture, nurtures us in return.

We promise to cultivate more than just food,we cultivate community, sustainability, and ethical living. Every seed we plant is a commitment to the earth, every meal we share is a celebration of togetherness, and every supporter who joins us is a partner in a vision of fairness, nourishment, and renewal.

Through intergenerational learning, we bridge the gap between young and old; passing down wisdom, traditions, and skills while fostering connection and belonging. Young people gain hands-on experience in ethical food production, while elders find renewed purpose, companionship, and joy in sharing their knowledge. In doing so, we help combat loneliness, build resilience, and create a space where everyone has something valuable to give and receive.

We focus on what is truly necessary, growing food in harmony with nature. That means no pesticides, no insecticides; just natural, responsible growing practices that protect biodiversity, nourish the soil, and respect the delicate balance of life. Our produce is not only fresh and nutritious but also a testament to the power of ethical choices and sustainable stewardship.

By supporting the Ethical Kitchen Garden, you are investing in a future where food is grown with care, where nature and people thrive in harmony, and where generosity is returned in abundance.

Together, we grow. 🌱💚

Wellbeing Activities & Events

Hosting Nutritional Cooking Classes – Teaching the community how to prepare healthy meals using fresh produce from the garden.

Storage, Processing & Packaging Produce – Freezer & fridge storage and appliances for creating value-added products like jams, chutneys, herbal teas, mushroom powder, raspberry powder, nettle powder, and nettle tea for sale.

Running Indoor Workshops & Events – Providing space for sustainability courses, gardening talks, and community gatherings.

Community Meals & Pop-Up Dining – Organising supper clubs with seasonal dining experiences where chefs use garden produce to create unique meals.

Rental for Private Functions – Hiring out the space for eco-conscious events, cooking demonstrations, and educational sessions.

Programmes & Supported Projects