Flashback 2023: The Garden Warbler

De Tuinfluiter is a social, ecological and educational project located in the ecological allotment complex of “Ertbrugge” in Deurne.

The non-profit organization has existed since 2022 and in 2023 they received a Klean Kanteen Gives Back grant of €2,500. This financed the purchase of a cargo bike that makes it easier to move materials and do the necessary shopping.

When you enter this piece of refreshing green in the grey city you immediately feel the peace that this place radiates. It is no coincidence that initiator Els, together with a number of volunteers, settled here. She offers a range of activities with a green character for young people with problems at school or outside.

Most participants are young adults with intellectual disabilities, but in fact everyone is welcome. Today there are 14 participants, but the guidance is usually in groups of 7.

Nature is always central to the activities, there are numerous possibilities such as:

• gardening
• on a wild picking walk in nature to get to know plants
• boiling soap
• nature prints
• ecoprinting: printing plants directly onto fabric or paper
• making ink from local wild plants
• painting with wild plants

Many workshops are open to everyone (if there is enough space), which encourages interaction with the neighbourhood.

In this way, Tuinfluiter offers professional day support for young people who need it. Nature helps with this because green relaxes and refreshes. Together they maintain, manage and protect nature. This also contributes to a more pleasant urban climate.

De Tuinfluiter makes self-picked flower bouquets and their own soap assortment with flowers and herbs from the garden. Discover them on their website!