Garden will reduce veterans’ isolation
Charity launches fundraising campaign
An ambitious project to create a garden aimed at reducing the isolation of armed forces veterans in the community has been launched in the heart of the Barrowcliff estate.
Gallows Gardens, based at the Gallows Close Centre, will also create a growing space for the wider community and will provide a space to relax and learn.
The p ro j e c t i s b e i ng d r i ve n by S c a rb o roug h veterans charity The FirstLight Trust, which along with other charities, organisations, businesses and i ndividuals, has al - ready rai s ed more t han £25,000.
A fundraising campaign has now been l aunched to raise the total of £ 82,987 needed to create the social community hub, with a Family Fun Day set to take place at the centre on April 6.
A FirstLight Trust spokesperson said: “The garden will be a place of creation and positivity to people who all too often experience a dominance of destruction in their lives.
“Staff, volunteers and fun activities like ‘Bug Club’ will teach how to grow plants alongside skills l i ke compost making, bee-keeping, woodworking and crafts.
“The garden will also provide space and support for armed forces veterans and their f amilies to overcome t heir of t en c omplex problems and help them integrate back into the community. The workshop will provide a ‘Men in Sheds’ experience where woodworking and craft skills can be taught and passed on to other community members.”
The ga rd e n, which wil l have a n a l l otment, g re e nhouse and workshop, will be completely designed and managed by local people.
The s pokesperson added: “There is so much excitement about this project from the children, the community a n d th e vete r - ans – they have already started to f undraise befo re we have even started.
“Please help us make this a reality. This is about bridging the isolation and communication gap between old and young. Veterans are respected by children - let us use this respect to learn and grow from each other.”
The Gallows Close Family Fun Day will take place from noon and will include a barbecue and five-a-side football.
‘ There is so much excitement about
this project’ FirstLight Trust