THE benefits of growing your own food have long been explored through a community project launched in Todmorden in 2007.

Now the Incredible Edible scheme aims to bring communities together through food growing in Bradford too.

The impact it has had so far has been far reaching, with its development into a national and international network involving many organisations at home and across the globe.

Living in Todmorden, Bradford Council worker Alison Bunn has seen firsthand the benefits the scheme brings.

She explains it is under-pinned by three key elements. "Bringing people together as a community; learning about food from growing it and cooking it and supporting local businesses."

Eager to see a similar initiative set up in Bradford, Alison is now inviting those who are interested in establishing their own community growing schemes in and around the city to attend an information event from 10am until noon on Thursday June 25 at the Victoria Hall, Victoria Road, Saltaire.

As well as raising awareness about Incredible Edible, the event will focus on encouraging community groups and individuals to get involved and start their own projects.

"It has to be driven by the community but the council will support it to happen," explains Alison.

Incredible Edible founder, Pam Warhurst and network coordinator, Tanya Wall, will talk about the scheme at the event.

Tanya explains there are currently more than 100 Incredible Edible projects in the UK and more than 700 across the globe.

"We use food as a mechanism for community growth. Everybody eats and that is the only membership criteria.

"The people of Bradford are already demonstrating how wonderful they are by just doing stuff themselves. This is a tool they may find useful or a way of bringing them together in Bradford or Keighley to get that one step ahead. It is just another option for them," says Tanya.

Councillor Arshad Hussain, Executive Member for Safer and Stronger Communities, says: "Incredible Edible helps to build stronger communities by providing a way that people can become directly involved in growing fruit and vegetables for themselves and their neighbours. Food is a great way of bringing people together and this type of project builds on this from a grass roots level."

An initiative they are already in the throes of developing as part of the Incredible Edible scheme is the creation of a bee-friendly bio diverse garden.

Alison explains they are currently working alongside Bradford Beekeepers Association as part of a new initiative launching in Bradford next month.

Fresh Start 4 U prepares adult ex-offenders over 18 for the workplace, tackling the stigma of having a conviction and helping them to move forward positively by equipping them with skills which are transferable into a future profession.

Alison, project manager of Fresh Start 4 U, explains while the Probation Service support individuals during their probation it is only for a limited time.

The need to bring together partners around the area and organisations who are already working with adult ex-offenders was identified to prepare those who are quite often not work ready.

Bill Cadmore, training officer with Bradford Beekeepers Association, says they are keen to be involved in the project and, relying on volunteers as they do, would welcome additional help to create the garden at the apiary as well as bee-friendly gardens in some of the city's parks to demonstrate what plants are beneficial to pollinators.

Being involved with community growing groups is an ideal way to learn new skills which could eventually lead to employment and help to break the cycle of crime.

"There was a recognition that individuals who have a conviction in their past are often not work ready and they have a gap in supporting them to become work ready," explains Alison.

Some may have never had a job, others may need support to get back into the workplace and Alison explains they are already looking at projects focusing on enterprise, sport and healthy living initiatives to help them gain skills, as well as linking in with the Incredible Edible project focusing on the bee garden.

Alison says they will support them to gain skills in areas they are interested in. "Initially, while the individual is not work ready they would be working with Fresh Start 4 U to develop this and work with them to develop their skills further.

"Obviously, we can't guarantee jobs for the individual but the idea of the project is we are increasing the possibility of the individual moving into work and that is good for the individual because employment and skills is a key factor in reducing re-offending. They have the experience and skills to get into employment."