British hemp cooperative recognized as refugee haven

A hemp farm in the UK is being honored as a refugee haven for its program to support immigrants in search of a better life. Hempen, a cooperative focused on the benefits of hemp, has been recognized as a Garden of Sanctuary by City of Sanctuary, a group working to create welcoming spaces for refugees in UK cities.

Hempen’s community outreach project, Growing Solidarity, hosts weekly Tuesday events that give refugees the opportunity to be in nature and meet new friends. Participants will also be taught how to grow their own food, which they can do either on the farm or in their own gardens at home.

Every Wednesday, volunteers deliver farm grown food to food banks run by the Reading Refugee Support Group. Sophie Gale, Growing Solidarity coordinator, said the project was created to help refugees become self-reliant in their new homes.

“We want to evolve sustainable food chains for people, from the food bank model where they get food to a more participatory relationship, grow and be a part of it,” Gale told the Henley Standard. “We focus on building resilience in diverse members of the community, with nature as our foundation. People can grow things, spend time appreciating the natural world, and spend time chatting and working things out about life. It is something very special.”

Lorraine Briffitt, Chairwoman of the City of Sanctuary in Reading, presented the award during a recent visit to Hempen, which is on Goring Heath in the South Oxfordshire district.

“We are delighted to be working with Hempen. It’s amazing to see the energy with which they have been recognized as a Garden of Refuge,” said Briffitt. “This comes at a time when solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers is needed more than ever. It’s inspiring to see community organizations doing their bit by strengthening themselves.”

Hempen is run as a workers’ co-operative producing a variety of hemp and CBD products and was the UK’s first certified organic hemp farm. Although the farm is not currently licensed to grow hemp, it works with organic hemp farmers to grow and develop their crop, which is processed into culinary, cosmetic, and wellness products.

“I helped start it in 2015 as a non-profit worker co-op offering hemp solutions. Hemp products are great for health and great for the planet,” said Patrick Gillett, co-founder of Hempen. “The community aspect of Hempen is very important to us.”

“It’s bringing people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to come down here to come down and grow vegetables and be a part of our community,” Gillett added.

Number of refugees entering Britain explodes

The UK has seen a surge in refugees entering the country over the past two years as people flee unrest and poverty in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and beyond. Fewer than 2,000 refugees made the often risky journey to the UK in 2019, according to a New Yorker report published in December. Just a year later, the number had risen to 8,417. And in the first 11 months of 2021, more than 25,000 set out to find a better life in the UK. Once arrived, many refugees face uncertain circumstances as they begin to adjust to their new homes.

“Many are traumatized and exhausted because they have nowhere to go and a sense of belonging when they make it to the UK,” Gale said. “The project aims to provide such a space and we know that the individuals and families we work with benefit greatly from visiting the farm and spending time in meaningful activities, relaxation and socializing.”

Mary, one of the refugees participating in the Growing Solidarity program, said she was excited when she went to the farm and began making friends, including volunteers who offer rides to those who need them.

“I learned many things about farming that I didn’t know before. I was so happy. The staff is wonderful and friendly to everyone,” said Mary. “They drive us to the farm and drive us back home, which means we can participate without having to spend what little money we have on transportation. They are also friendly and respectful and play with the children when they come to the farm with me. We can also take any vegetables we want home with us.”

Eric, another refugee, agreed, saying, “It’s good to be in a community and to learn things.”

“I learned how to make things and how to build,” he added. “It also helps perfect the language by speaking to more people.”

The Growing Solidarity coordinator said that recognizing Hempen as a Garden of Sanctuary “is a way of communicating to a larger audience the importance of working with people from all backgrounds and supporting people who have had to leave their homes through no fault of their own. “

“There are complicated messages in the media about people seeking refuge,” Gale added. “It’s important to show our caring and solidarity, and building resilience and community is quite positive.”