Growing Together in Carlisle | Sea cadets and the Kings Trust
As Carlisle city demographics change, our focus is to always be inclusive, affordable and future proof cadets and volunteering, maximising unit value to all.
Carlisle Sea Cadets support young people up to the age of 17 through a dedicated cadet forces program. Meeting weekly, cadets develop practical skills like boatwork and first aid alongside teamwork and leadership — preparing them for whatever adventures lie ahead.
Their centre has been the heart of the organisation for over 40 years and is entirely ran by committed volunteers. While the building itself remained well used, the outdoor spaces were in need of care and imagination.
Kerry, Chairperson Volunteer and Self-Funded Trustee, had a vision: to bring more greenery and wildlife into the space, and to invite others from the local community to help make it happen.
At the same time, The King’s Trust had welcomed a new group of young people aged 16–25. The King’s Trust works to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or the challenges they face.
These young people were experiencing unemployment or were not currently in education, and as part of the course were keen to contribute to a meaningful community project.
With both groups looking for opportunities, Lizzy Benn from the Community Development Team at Cumbria Wildlife Trust was able to connect the two organisations together, helping them shape a project that would benefit everyone involved — the young people, the Sea Cadets, the local community and wildlife too.
With a plan in place, promoted by “June Give A Day” Kerry and the Sea Cadet leaders began gathering local company donations of soil, pallets and seeds.
The first week focused on learning and planning. The group explored what wildlife already lived in the area and what could be encouraged to return.
There were wildlife hunts across the lawn, spotting grasshoppers and ladybirds, alongside discussions about planting for pollinators and creating shelter for animals.
It wasn’t always easy. Sea Cadet Volunteer Trustee, Val, supported utilizing her years as a gardener herself to help guide the group and keep the project moving forward.
Several days were spent in relentless sunshine, completing the demanding task of filling the newly built planters with tonnes of topsoil.
The group reached out to Carlisle Green Hub, another community growing project close by, and swapped a few hours of weeding their strawberry beds for a generous supply of young plants.
Cucumber, squash and sweetpeas became the first plants to find their home in the new planters.
Wildlife around the centre also got new spaces too; after a visit to Gosling Sike the young people tried their hand at woodworking building bug hotels, bird boxes and even a hedgehog hide — adding important wildlife features to the site.
By the end, there was a strong sense of pride in what had been achieved — and an understanding that this was just the beginning.
The impact of the project has continued to grow. The King’s Trust are now running their courses from the site, providing a vital source of income at a time when the centre was struggling with running costs.
This also supports Kerry’s long-term vision of the site becoming a community access hub; offering meeting spaces and catering facilities for local groups seeking a calm, welcoming environment near the city centre.
Already the harvest has been shared wider than the centre itself. Fresh produce was donated to Carlton Day Centre, Carlisle Women’s Refuge and Harraby Community Centre and Currock Food share.
They hosted a harvest festival at Currock Community Centre, the Sea cadets made soup, whilst cakes and biscuits were baked and served on the day by The Kings Trust.
This project shows what’s possible when organisations come together with a shared vision; combining community action, nature recovery and opportunities for young people.
As the beds continue to grow and relationships deepen, the legacy of this work will carry on well beyond the summer that started it all.
