Hello, I’m Rachel, the founder of Wings & Radicles.
My first experience with beekeeping was in 2016 when I stumbled across a social media advert for a beekeeping course – the ‘Bee You’ project run by Women’s Organisation at Blackburne House. It wasn’t something I’d ever given a second thought to, but something about the advert sparked my curiosity and I decided to sign up. From the first lesson, I was hooked! So hooked in fact, that I ended up representing the project nationally, studied for and completed a teaching qualification and became a tutor for the very course that I was once a student on.
Though the Bee You project is primarily aimed at school students, in 2018 I was able to teach a one-off workshop for an adult rehabilitation group who were recovering from drug and/or alcohol addiction. They were brilliant. In just half a day, I saw their interest and engagement piqued and I felt that everyone got something good out of the lesson, myself included.
I think this group particularly resonated with me because of my own history of mental health issues and when reflecting on my journey from student to teacher, I can see the noticeable improvement that being around like-minded people and having access to nature and green spaces has had on my well-being. With this in mind, I wanted to continue to help people and create a beekeeping community where people can feel safe, learn and have fun.
Early 2020, with the end of a work contract looming, I felt supported and confident enough to know that this was the time to make my vision a reality and so Wings & Radicles was born.
Why ‘Wings & Radicles’?
Wings (Noun)
a means of flight or rapid progress
symbolic of flying high and reaching for the stars. Fueled by self-belief and dedication, and aiming high to create our vision.
Radicles (Noun)
The part of a plant embryo that develops into the primary root
symbolic of staying grounded; sticking to our values and rooted in the local community. It’s also a play on words for ‘radical’, meaning “an advocate for political or social change.”
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Workshops
Education and Workshop Mission Statement
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Wings & Radicles provides a safe, inclusive hub and education space, centred around the art of beekeeping; to improve mental well-being and increase biodiversity
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Our workshops consist of both the theory and practical elements of beekeeping. Our main focus is to work with residents in the local Liverpool 8 area, primarily focusing on those who are considered more vulnerable, and to create a sense of community, boost mental health and engage people in environmental education.
Our workshops will also be open to members of the paying public. This, along with any funding received, will allow the workshops to remain free to those who need the most support.
Products
Mission Statement
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Wings & Radicles products remove the compromise between looking after yourself and looking after the planet. The socially responsible and eco-conscious products are handmade using our own beeswax, supporting local biodiversity