Community Group Supports Digital Skills and Inclusion

Local initiative offers gardening, cooking, and digital learning

Kelly, the Community Development Officer at Cross Green Growing Together, has described the various activities the group offers to residents in the Cross Green area. The community organisation runs a range of sessions designed to support families, including gardening groups, coffee mornings, digital skills classes, after school clubs, and cooking sessions.

Digital inclusion efforts

Cross Green Growing Together received a grant from the Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund to help local people improve their technology skills. Kelly explained that the group aims to make digital learning accessible and less intimidating by integrating tablets into their existing activities. This approach allows participants to develop practical skills in a familiar setting.

• After school groups have engaged in creative projects such as stop-motion animation using tablets.
• In gardening sessions, tablets are used with apps like Google Lens to enhance learning about plants.
• Cooking sessions incorporate online recipe searches and ordering ingredients, helping participants gain transferable skills.

Supporting diverse and transient families

The community group works with a diverse population, including asylum seekers, refugees, and families in emergency housing. Kelly noted that many new arrivals find the area intimidating and sometimes unsafe. Cross Green Growing Together provides a safe space where families can build friendships and access support.

Kelly highlighted the importance of trust between the group and the community, which allows them to signpost families to additional services and resources. She emphasised the positive impact their work has had on the local community, noting the rewarding nature of the role.

About Cross Green Growing Together

The organisation operates from a community garden and hub, offering a holistic range of activities to meet the needs of local residents. Their work is supported by grants from Leeds Community Foundation, including funding specifically aimed at improving digital inclusion.

For more information, visit the Leeds Community Foundation website.