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The CURRENT ECGHLI membership theme is 'GROW YOUR OWN!'.
• ECGHLI Membership is open to adults and youth (individuals and group representatives) who agree to observe and adhere to all the information, caution and rules provided herein; and whose main intent and purpose is to support the ECGHLI charitable aims and objectives; conserve allotments and community gardens; improve natural biodiversity; grow fruits, vegetables, pulses, nuts, shrubs, flowers, selected trees and conventional herbs. Where verbal applications are made; attending the initiative operational sites equates to having agreed to observe and adhere to all the information, caution and rules provided herein; the same as are quoted to verbal applicants prior to induction. Name, address, age group and gardening interest must be provided in order to complete the application process. Membership can be revoked where the necessary information is with-held or wrongful information provided. Where application forms are provided; applicants must fill in, cut out and send membership application to the mailing address stated on the form; and if relevant; include the ECGHLI Conservation Volunteers Pick & Mix Challenge Sheet. Members must adhere to all the Guidelines and Health & Safety rules; and contact their Team Leader/ Gardening Mentor or a Member of the Organisation’s Committee on any matters arising during their involvement on the scheme.
• Individuals or groups may submit their application requests to an EPO Community Gardening & Healthy Living Initiative (ECGHLI) Team Leader during an arranged visit to the site. The detail/s of the person/s who wishes to participate must be entered in the first section.
• Membership cards are issued to members whose applications are accepted; any given reference should be quoted on all official correspondences relating to the initiative.
• Members with specific interest may be notified about meetings and volunteering team events.
• Members must engage in a risk assessment and the application of risk minimization measures prior to engaging
themselves in any activity on the plots.
• Many beneficial resources are included in your membership, while others are available at a reduced member rate.
• Membership is not transferable; but is renewable annually. Becontree Horticultural Allotment Association (BHAA) & ECGHLI membership rules apply.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
1. Access to ECGHLI ‘GROW YOUR OWN’ Schemes;
2. Guided risk assessments and outdoor health & safety Tips;
3. One to Three Motivational Visit Annually from an ECGHLI Team Leader/ or participating Accredited Gardening Mentor;
4. Invitations to conservation leisure trips and outings, open days and AGM ;
5. Access to members’ news, seeds, own grown foods, compost, fresh air, green gym, tools where competence of handlers are proven at maintenance costs, horticultural researched and referenced information, horticultural work experience, healthy cooking recipes; member’s ready steady healthy cookery clubs, annual reports at cost only, BMI Challenge support groups and personal development sessions or written referrals to appropriate agents if required;
6. Improved mental and physical health;
7. Increased friendship networks (social inclusion);
8. Free entry into 'ECGHLI Members' Annual Produce Sampling Competitions' which are judged on:
Growing Method, Looks and Taste;
9. Notification on Bushway Tales’ Book Launches.
COST
• (Individual Membership) £2.50 per annum for an adult individual; (Youth Membership) £1.00 (Group Membership – for all group types) 50 pence per head. These fees are payable unless waived by reason of circumstance where funding allows.
Current Annual Adult Plot Holding Membership is inclusive in rent of £25 per non shared plot; £18.75 for three quarters; £12.50 for half; £6.25 for quarter.
• Fees and Fundraising Activities have been devised to contribute to subsidizing of rent ; BHAA Membership; tools maintenance & additions; subsidized horticultural training, registered childcare support and administrative costs like postage and telephone and special linked projects.
ACCESS TO COMMUNITY GARDENING SITES
• Keys for access to the initiative site gate and tool shed are despatched accordingly to successful Plot Holding Responsible Adult Member; following induction.
CHILDREN’S ACCESS & PARTICIPATION (CAP)
• Children over the age of eight; can undertake suitable community gardening and conservation volunteering activities under the supervision of their Parents/ Legal Guardians or Enhanced Police Checked Suitably Qualified Mentors; under specially planned and insured events. External groups can participate where their groups have adequate cover for such activities.
• Safe gardening / garden leisure/ horticultural learning in designated child friendly areas are at the discretion of the responsible adult who must engage in a risk assessment and the application of risk minimization measures prior to engaging themselves and the children in their care. All participants must have personal protective equipment e.g. boots, overalls, goggles, dust masks etc.; according to identifies risks.
• Qualifying children can access Participating Community Gardens/ Allotments; solely under the care, responsibility, supervision and control of their parents/ legal guardians; or mentors who have passed up-to-date CRB checks (hereinafter called the responsible adult).
• Children must not be sent to fetch items from sheds neither be allowed to run around nor wander off.
• Children are only allowed to handle spades, trowels, forks and certain hoes following demonstration session in Tool Safety & Handling; and at the discretion of the responsible adult. Any damaged tool must be placed in the designated damaged tool area. See under under TOOLS
• Responsible adults are asked to ensure that the children in their care do not undertake strenuous activity. See under STRENUOUS ACTIVITY.
• The following additional rules must be observed: no bottle drinks, alcohol, aerosols, jewelry, language misuse, smoking, lighters, no compasses, and no excuses e.g. ‘I’m only holding this from my friend’. Respect for mentors, teachers, fellow participants, facilities and tools are of paramount importance. BHAA and ECGHLI membership rules apply.
MENTORING POSITIONS
• Any member applying for mentoring positions with young people and vulnerable adults will be police checked for an enhanced disclosure. Any who have convictions suggesting incapability of applying the necessary duty of care; will not qualify for such positions.
TOOLS
• Manual & Power Tools may only be used by members who have demonstrated competence in the safety and handling. Certificates will be checked to verify competence where necessary. Available Tools can be used by proven competent members with permission and at their own risk. CAP: Children are only allowed to handle spades, trowels, forks and certain hoes following demonstration session in Tool Safety & Handling; and at the discretion of the responsible adult. Any damaged tool must be placed in the designated damaged tool area.
• For external personal domestic use; requests must be made in writing and hire would be strictly subject to availability. Tool Hire Registration forms are available upon request. Hire fees may apply at special member rates to afford tools’ maintenance.
STRENUOUS ACTIVITY
• Members are advised to refrain from undertaking any strenuous activity unless they have proof of competence and have sought their doctor’s advice. Any member engaging in any strenuous activity does so at his or her own risk. CAP: Responsible adults are asked to ensure that the children in their care do not undertake strenuous activity.
IN-ACTIVITY OF MEMBERS
• The ECGHLI Management Team would appreciate immediate notice if you are unwell or would be inactive on the scheme for any considerable time. Failure to notify a Management Team Member of such situation may result in the revoking of membership. Plots may be passed to the next member on the waiting list if neglected by any member.
ACCESS TO ALLOTMENT PRODUCE
• Picking, plucking eating and sharing yours or other mutually agreeing participating member’s Community Garden/ Allotment Produce; is done at the picker’s, plucker’s, sharer and eater’s own risk.
POLICIES
• Health & Safety, Child Protection, Equalities and Diversities, Disability, Rehabilitation of Ex Offenders, Grievance and Disciplinary, Data Protection, Quality of Service and Environmental Sustainability Policies apply to this scheme. Members can acquaint themselves with the initiative’s policies at its quarterly meetings, and make suggestions for annual review.
INSURANCE
• Conservation Members will be covered by the initiative’s Worker’s Liability Insurance whilst undertaking formally agreed Conservation activity. The public will be covered by the project’s public liability at its open day events.
BREECH OF TRUST
• In the event of any breech of trust in any regard, all key holders may be subject to Police Checks. Non compliance may result in the revoking of membership.
MEMBERSHIP CAUTION
• Neglect of project plots; misuse of equipment; disrespect for other member’s or plot holder’s projects and breeching of Allotment Association rules & ECGHLI rules can result in instant withdrawal of membership. Appeals may only be heard at the discretion of the committee.
ECGHLI Membership Advice, Health & Safety Cautions and Becontree Horticultural Allotment Association (BHAA) rules all apply.
ECGHLI MEMBERSHIP DISCLAIMER
Neither EPO Community Gardening and Healthy Living Initiative (ECGHLI), nor the Becontree Horticultural Allotment Association or Other Contributing Partner will be liable for any misadventure resulting from the flouting of the Initiative’s Day to Day Operational Caution, Health & Safety Guide; Rules contained herein. Adult Members are responsible for their own and their children’s welfare whilst accessing the initiative sites, or participating in the initiative or making use of its resources.
ECGHLI DATA PROTECTION DISCLOSURE
• Successful Member’s Personal Data will be used for the purpose of verifying their identity and for Strategic Demographic Data for the Becontree Horticultural Allotment Association; will be treated with strict confidence under the Data Protection Act of 1998; will not be kept for longer than is necessary and thereafter will be securely disposed off. The data of unsuccessful members will be kept only for one calendar month only; allowing reasonable time for an appeal; and would thereafter be securely disposed off.
NB If you require clarification on any aspect of this document; contact a Committee Member via the contact details provided.
ECGHLI - 08/09 Day to Day Operational Caution
All members; whether Community Gardening or Conservation Volunteering Members/ Group Representatives; are required to: Inform ‘Team Leader/ First Aider of any Health Conditions; Be aware of surroundings; Actively engage in risk assessments & prevention measures; Wear eye goggles when using cutting tools or working in dusty areas; Use ear plugs if working around noisy equipment; Use gloves to protect hands; Adhere to all safety rules accompanying machinery; Ensure that all tools are left in the specified area when not in use…out of the way of pathways, and where they cannot cause accidents and injury; Ensure the correct method of lifting - kinetic: back straight... knees bent; Handle tools correctly as demonstrated by tools safety guide or accredited garden mentor; Do not do anything that can cause danger to oneself and other members or plot holders; Report any suspected injury promptly; Report tool and equipment damage promptly. All members are advised to make use of all the recommended Safety Equipment: Boots, Gloves, Goggles, Overalls, Ear Plugs, Dust Masks and First Aid Kit.
B H A A (Rules for Allotment Holders)
1 By taking a plot, plotholders accept that they are bound by the Association’s Allotment Rules.
2 Plotholders must hold a current Association membership
3 The sub-letting of plots is not alllowed
4 Plots shall only be used for allotment gardening and for no other purpose. The commercial use of plots is prohibited. Livestock may not be kept on allotments. Dogs are allowed on allotments, but must be on a lead at all times and under control.
5 A Site Steward will be appointed by the Committee to each site for the purposes of site administration. The Site Steward is the Committee’s local representative and has their full authority.
6 Plots are to be kept clean and in a properly cultivated condition. The plotholder is to maintain, in good order, one half of the pathway surrounding their plot.
7 Rubbish is not to be depositied on communial paths and roadways.
8 Each Plotholder will be issued with a site entrance key, for which a deposit must be paid. The key remains the property of the Association and must be given up on the termination of the tenancy, or at the request of the Committee.
9 After entering or leaving the site, the plot holder must ensure that the site gates are properly locked.
10 Huts may only be erected on plots with the permission of the Site Steward.
11 Complaints regarding individual site matters should be addressed to the Site Steward. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be arrived at, the matter should be drawn to the attention of the Committee by writing to the Association Secretary.
12 Plot rents, and charges for water, are set by the Committee annually. Rents must be paid in full by March 1st to continue tenancy.
13 The Association may cease a tenancy by giving three months notice in writing. All tenancies cease on the 31st December each year.
14 The Committee have the power to issue a 14-day notice-to-quit to any plotholder. The reason for the notice will only be given to the plotholder, who has the right of appeal to the Committee.
15 The water supply to each site will be turned off during the Autumn and Winter. It may be turned off at other times at the discretion of the Site Steward. The use of a hosepipe to directly water plots is prohibited.
16 Plotholders may only light bonfires a ½ hour before sunset and must ensure that they do not cause a nuisance or are left unattended.
17 The sale of produce to the public from allotment sites is prohibited.
18 The Committee have the power to act in any matters not covered by the foregoing.
BHAA Committee 11/03
NB For further clarification or membership requests; contact a Committee Member via the contact details provided. See Contact Us.
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