Roots and Shoots

The Roots and Shoots Programme provides 10 schools each year with the opportunity to take part in a full horticultural programme, throughout the gardening season.

Through practical sessions , children increase their knowledge around healthy eating and the importance of having an active lifestyle, where they develop their own gardening skills to use at school and home. For many, this is the first time they have done any gardening and for some, it is eye-opening to discover where vegetables come from!

About the Programme

Roots and Shoots is a hands-on gardening and healthy eating programme designed to inspire children to connect with nature, learn where food comes from, and develop practical growing skills. The initiative aims to address some of the underlying causes of childhood obesity by engaging children, families, and schools in a structured horticulture and health education programme.

Through regular sessions in a dedicated growing space, participants take part in a variety of seasonal gardening activities, including sowing seeds, planting vegetables and herbs, weeding, nurturing crops, and harvesting produce. Children gain first-hand experience of the entire growing cycle, from planting and caring for crops to harvesting and tasting the food they have grown themselves.

A key part of the programme is encouraging healthy eating habits. Children are given opportunities to sample a wide range of freshly harvested fruits, vegetables, herbs, and salad leaves, helping them discover new flavours and develop positive attitudes towards nutritious food. By experiencing fresh produce straight from the garden, participants gain a greater appreciation of healthy, locally grown ingredients.

Alongside practical gardening activities, the programme delivers important health education messages. In collaboration with Northumberland County Council’s Public Health team, children learn about the benefits of a balanced diet, the importance of regular physical activity, and how healthy lifestyle choices contribute to overall wellbeing, in conjunction with the Better Health key messages.

Roots and Shoots also helps children develop confidence, teamwork, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of environmental sustainability. Opportunities to take plants home extend the learning experience beyond the programme, encouraging families to become involved in growing and healthy eating at home.

By combining outdoor learning, practical horticulture, and health education, Roots and Shoots provides an engaging and rewarding experience that empowers children to make healthier choices while fostering a lifelong appreciation for growing, harvesting, and enjoying fresh food.

9 different schools, totalling 129 children across Northumberland engaged in our Roots and Shoots Programme throughout 2024/25

Explore the Roots & Shoots Allotment

Scroll down to view our Roots & Shoots Allotment map. Alternatively why not pop by on your next visit as our Roots & Shoots Allotment is free entry during opening our opening hours.

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Stories & Impact

Discover how our Roots & Shoots Programme has benefitted the local community

Teacher Feedback

“Even the most reluctant pupils enjoyed participating in the sessions”

Teacher Feedback

“Even the most reluctant pupils enjoyed participating in the sessions”

Meet the Team

Lisa Winter

Wellbeing Officer

Hi my name is Lisa, and I am the Wellbeing Officer for Young People at The Alnwick Garden! I am passionate about nurturing both plants and people. I lead vital drug education workshops, utilising the garden’s unique resources to equip young people with the honest knowledge and resilience tools they need to make safe, informed life choices. In addition to substance awareness education, I run our “Seed to Table” Roots and Shoots vegetable growing programme, helping school groups and families with SEND children learn about healthy eating through growing vegetables completely from scratch. I help school children and Special Educational Needs (SEN) students build confidence, develop vital sensory skills, and connect deeply with nature. I am passionate about creating inclusive, safe environments where every young person can discover their strengths and thrive.

How your donation can help

£25 provides the organic fertiliser needed to nourish the plants and vegetables that our Roots & Shoots participants care for throughout the season.

£25 helps keep our growing spaces thriving with essential natural fertilisers, giving young people the opportunity to learn hands-on horticultural skills in a healthy, productive environment.

£120 provides enough specialist compost to fill seed trays and growing modules, helping hundreds of seeds take root and giving participants the chance to nurture plants from their very first shoots.

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