A sustainable farming project that helps people to rebuild their lives while restoring the earth is to be opened up to members of the public.

Focus Counselling’s Root and Rise programme aims to help individuals in recovery grow stronger, find purpose and create lasting change through hands-on horticultural training and social enterprise.

A second group of four participants were delighted to receive their sustainable farming certificates last week after months of dedicated work at the site in St George’s.

In a mixture of classroom-based and outdoor learning, students were taught how to make beds, plant seeds, formulate compost and create natural pesticides.

The result is a thriving area of land featuring a spectacular mandala garden — in which plants are arranged in circles around a central focal point — ornamental flowers and fruit trees.

At the far end there is a shell of a greenhouse. Upon its completion, there will be an opportunity to grow even more produce year-round.

The project’s success has led to plans to get the public involved and teach them about the power of growing their own.

Dexter Robinson, 55, took part in the programme while also being a staff member offering peer support.

He said: “It's been very invigorating, as well as promoting good health and what we consume.

“We can definitely learn to enjoy the work because of the peace of mind it gives.”

“It's a wonderful project to be a part of.”

Thinking about the future, Mr Robinson, a former truck driver, said he was looking forward to furthering his education.

Patrick Bean said that the programme had allowed him to understand more about food security and the amount of unused agricultural land in Bermuda.

The 60-year-old, who is approaching the end of his residential stay with Focus Counselling, said: “I have a small garden that’s been very much underutilised, so it’s informed me to make my own home more self-sustaining.”

“It’s all new to me,” said Gary Wellman, 74.

“I did some gardening as a child but never to this extent. It’s a whole new world out here.”

Mr Wellman said that the programme had been like a “sanctuary”.

He added: “It provides a meditative space; that’s been my favourite part.”

Meanwhile, Richard Dill has extensive gardening experience.

“I’m actually planning to facilitate this. I’m a client but one day I’m planning to run this Root and Rise programme,” he said.

“They have given me a position, actually working for Focus and getting paid.”

Leslie Grant, the executive director of Focus Counselling, noted that the group was the second cohort to take part and he plans to be in the next one.

The non-profit organisation is dedicated to providing comprehensive substance-use disorder and addiction treatment as well as support services.

Explaining plans for the future, Mr Grant said: “We are looking to open up the training in September to the general public.”

Of the four who recently received their certificates, Mr Grant said: “I’m very proud.

“We are not just planting food, we are creating futures.”

Chris Faria, the founder and director of the AgraLiving Institute, taught the latest group.

He said: “Mr Grant wanted the students to be able to get a certification they can use when seeking employment.

“I think this has been a big part of the healing process.”

Mr Faria added: “Less than half of all the agricultural reserve that there is in Bermuda is being farmed right now. That is 209 football fields that’s not being farmed.

“We kind of grow up telling ourselves this convenient lie that there’s not enough land. There's so much underused land because we've not been investing.

“We teach that the work is very honourable. It's the most important work.

“We are connecting ecological restoration with food growing and showing how these things are connected.”

Jonathan Lightbourne runs Nature’s Compass, where he provides a permaculture design service.

His design document last year included the mandala garden containing perennials, annual crops and a mulch pit in the centre.

“Permaculture is about connecting to the elements,” Mr Lightbourne noted, as he cited the link between earth care, people care and future care.

He said that the Root and Rise project is a “fantastic demonstration” of what can be achieved when people collaborate.

• For more information, e-mail rootandrisebda@focus.bm