Common Flora enhancing wellbeing

Everywhere and under our noses, some plants seem common to us and yet, like us, they are in fact extraordinary, humble, powerful and resilient.

Common Flora is a certified organic land-based social enterprise in South Devon creating an income, serving vulnerable people, providing habitat for the local wildlife, all rooted in the local community and economy.

Using the principles of regenerative agroecology, permaculture and local economy, half of this highly productive two-hectare speck of space is a border of 1,700 trees of 11 various species for a forest garden plus a 100-tree orchard of locally-sourced fruit trees and community growing spaces for herbs and dye plants.

All the species are useful to us and harvested for their edible, medicinal, veterinary, pigmentation and horticultural properties. The business is still learning, becoming, growing and market-testing products.

Common Flora is now thrilled to announce they now have an off-road wheelchair making their certified organic agroforestry site near Diptford more accessible. They already have an accessible toilet and shower and ramped building. Making our natural spaces as inclusive as possible is close to the hearts of the people at this small social enterprise.

Director Beccy said: “We believe time in beautiful outdoor spaces for peace and relaxation, or to garden and be involved in tree maintenance, should be possible for all of us. There are many reasons, though, why people can’t or don’t and at Common Flora we want to take away as many barriers to access as possible.”

Common Flora wishes to thank funders including National Lottery, Make Them Smile and Bruce Wake Foundation.

If you are a wheelchair-user you might be interested in helping with some tree maintenance or organic horticulture. In spring, Common Flora will be running a clay and lime rendering course downstairs in the barn which is also wheelchair accessible. If you or you know someone who might just need some time out in a peaceful and quiet natural space, please direct enquiries to mail@commonflora.co.uk.

Common Flora also deliver sessions for a local charity working to enrich the lives of neuro-diverse young people. The project is led by Directors Jane Acton, an ethnobotanist, Sam Aspden, a textile artist and PhD student in natural dyes and Beccy Strong,;photographer and film maker.

Together the three women Directors aim to make their work driven by values of social and ecological justice while at the same time being commercially sustainable.

There are also an occupational therapist, play therapist and psychotherapists using the natural world to enhance recovery from physical and mental trauma and wellbeing. All are experts in their fields, qualified and insured.

Please make contact if you would like to join or ask anything. See also social media tags for up-to-date information.