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Normandy Community Therapy Garden

Location: Normandy, Sector: Community

 

The  Normandy Community Therapy Garden was looking for funding to help replace their temporary building currently used as classroom and administration space.  Surrey Hills LEADER grant scheme awarded £36k towards to cost of erecting a  new building.  The charity has already raised significant money for the first phase of the project which on completion should provide an energy efficient, timber framed building to provide a much improved learning environment for students.  This will include classrooms,  admin areas, toilets, rest rooms, kitchen, stores and shop.

The garden currently benefits over 500 people per year especially those who have any form of disability or learning difficulty.  It provides unique  range of learning opportunities including being a centre of delivery for Vocational Training in Horticulture.   The  new building will enable the charity to increase its programme of activity, develop and on site shop to sell produce from the garden and provide a higher quality environment  in which to teach and learn.

 Surrey Hills LEADER grant scheme contributed 64% of funds needed to erect a new building for The Normandy Community Therapy Garden.  The  £36,000 award will go towards the construction of a new timber frame building, in keeping with the bowls and archery club also on the Manor Fruit Farm site.  The current building no longer met the needs of the charity – lack of classroom and administration space, poor facilities and service, too hot in the summer and cold and damp in the winter.  The project qualified for funding because:

·          More young people  and adults with mental health problems, special needs, learning difficulties and physical difficulties can access the gardens’ services

·         The Local community will benefit through the direct sales from the shop

·         The new building will be available for hire in the evenings offering a much needed community facility as well as generating revenue for the charity

·         Additional space  will allow the centre to build on existing activity programmes e.g.: new skills for Working Life courses focusing on Retailing and Catering.

·         There is potential for the creation of 2 new part time jobs

·         Improved landscape as the building is far more in keeping with its surroundings and neighbours.

 

 

The charity has received tremendous support both locally and from further afield and the new building will enable it to realise its vision of  sharing  the joy of practical horticulture with more people.

 

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