ID234 Utilising the Huxley Greenhouse

The Idea

Utilise the greenhouse in the courtyard of the Huxley building. 

The building has stood empty for over a year and can still be a serviceable greenhouse given its location and nearby water butts. Plants and produce grown contribute well to mental health from the growers perspective but also those seeing the green in the area receive a boost. Charity plant/ produce sales would contribute to reducing excess and a numbering system would make sure users are aware of their responsibilities in maintenance. 

Why This Idea Should Be Considered

The University has sustainability as a core focus. There is a greenhouse that has been standing empty in the Huxley courtyard for over a year*. 

It is utilising a pre-existing space that is already set up which requires no input cost from the University. I have already heard from members of the building they are interested in growing seedlings and it seemed like this idea could be introduced more officially with the support of the building. Growing things is a positive boost and while very location specific it feels like a missed opportunity for the building. 

*The technicians I have talked to do not know who is responsible for this. The owner needs to be located for this idea to be cleared. Even if the require the space soon it may still be possible to use it for a period 

How We Would Implement This Idea

Put a clear call across Huxley to locate the funder of the greenhouse. Make the space clearly available but use a number system so all users must label their equipment- this will ensure any queries with equipment/ plants etc can be easily traced back to an individual. A rota could easily be set up by users so that they can self regulate to effectively use the space. Documentation associated with the system can be kept in the greenhouse for ease of access. Given access is provided only to cards that are signed off it would likely be kept small scale for the users of the building. 

There are two water butts set up attached to the greenhouse, while I use them for my research I could easily spare one for specific use for this idea, this allows not only for the space to be used, but also the option to water plants throughout the year. 

Excess plants or produce could be gifted or sold in charity plant sales. 

What Success Would Look Like

Improved mental health with users of the building, being able to take a green space break and tend to something living is a good mood booster. A small amount made from charity plant sales (which could be split to re-invest into the space) would be a small but easy metric of success.