Home-school pupils have been transforming land in Yarmouth

Since moving to a larger site last year, training providers The Bread Kitchen has taken on more home-schoolers and children in alternative provision. 

Based behind the Mill Lane skate park in Cobholm, the disused land has been transformed from a site overgrown with weeds to a new communal hub as part of the group's Good to Grow initiative.

And it continues to grow.

It's feeding time for a rescued lamb at the Good to Grow plot in Cobholm. (Image: James Weeds) Co-director Mike Smith-Clare said foundations have been laid for new static buildings to be installed to further training opportunities, as well as classroom learning.

"We've had up to 20 home-school pupils here each week," he said.

"And we're seeing massive changes in enthusiasm. We're trying to harness learning in a different environment where skills can be developed and demonstrated."

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Great Yarmouth College student Brooke has been developing her animal husbandry skills at the Cobholm site. (Image: James Weeds) Debra Annis, from Bradwell, said her 14-year-old home-schooled son has come out of his shell since coming to Good to Grow.

"When he first came, he was very quiet and wouldn't go near animals," Ms Annis said.

"Over the weeks, his confidence grew and he was soon clearing out chicken coops. He's progressively facing his fears and coming out of his shell."

Pupils during their crafts session. (Image: James Weeds) Ms Annis said the Good to Grow team has been accommodating to people with different needs.

"The kids are just free to be themselves," she said. "No matter how they feel on that day, people here don't judge and just get on with it." 

The Cobholm site was inaccessible when the group moved in. Over the past few months, they have cleared the long grass and installed a bridge over a dyke. (Image: James Weeds) The group moved from their previous site at Potter's Field - behind the James Paget University Hospital - to the disused land close to Breydon Bridge last summer. At the time, volunteers got to work making the land more accessible.

In just under a year, the team have transformed the space, creating a natural orchard with plums and apples, an animal section with goats, lambs, ferrets and rabbits, and a summer house.

Bread Kitchen co-director Mike Smith-Clare. (Image: James Weeds) Mr Smith-Clare said: "It is a green hub for education, produce and animals. But most of all, lives can be grown here."

The group is also working with the Shrublands Community Centre, growing crops to be included in food parcels.

For more information, visit www.thebreadkitchen.org.uk

Foundations have been laid for two static buildings at the Cobholm site. (Image: James Weeds)