Uttlesford charity seeks new base for community gardening project
An Uttlesford charity is seeking a new base for its innovative Community Gardening Project.
Accuro’s project, which provides opportunities for adults with a disability to develop work, life and social skills has to move from its current base in Little Walden in early June and urgently needs to find a new base in the Saffron Walden area.
Adult services co-ordinator Sue Atack said: “Unfortunately the tenants of the farm from whom we sub-let our current base are moving on and consequently we also have to move.
“We are looking for a site which will provide a workshop and approximately 600sq.m of land on which to place a greenhouse and to grow plants.”
The project currently accommodates six adults per day on a Tuesday and Wednesday each week. They are supported by three staff and occasional volunteers.
The key feature of the project is the gardening maintenance service that it provides to a number of local people who, because of factors like age or infirmity, are unable to care for their own gardens.
Members of the project also engage in producing goods, like hanging baskets, for sale and in a number of community-based projects that have included working with Newport Free Grammar School on the development of a sensory garden.
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Accuro CEO Arthur Steward said: “This is a critical time for this project which provides opportunities for people with a disability to make a positive contribution to their local community whilst developing their own skills, self-confidence and independence.
“The project does not receive revenue funding from the county council and is primarily reliant upon grants from bodies like the Lloyds Bank Foundation.
“We have two trusts who are currently considering providing the remainder of the revenue that we need to secure this project for the next two years but they are understandably reluctant to commit this funding until we have secured a new base for the project.”
Anyone who knows of a suitable venue either in the short or longer term can contact Sue Atack at Accuro by emailing sue@accuro.org.uk or ringing 01279 433667.
Further information about the Community Gardening Project or the other services provided by Accuro can be found at accuro.org.uk or by ringing the Accuro office on 01279 433117.
