2020-02-25 15:49:27
A £15,000 grant awarded to a learning disability service in Flintshire is set to transform its outdoor space and encourage people to come together and enjoy the great outdoors.
Hwb Cyfle, a day opportunities service in Deeside run by national learning disability charity Hft, has been awarded the money from Postcode Local Trust, a grant giving charity funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, to develop a garden project that will enhance the lives of the people it supports.
The grant will provide people with learning disabilities with the opportunity to design, create and maintain the unique space. Once built, the garden will become a multipurpose natural area where people supported at the service can enjoy sensory stimulation and get closer to nature. For those with green fingers or culinary aspirations, the scheme will also offer the chance to plant, cultivate, harvest, cook and eat fresh fruit and vegetables. As well as building skills and supporting learning for people with disabilities, the garden will be opened up to members of the community, local primary schools and volunteer-led gardening group Digging Deeside, who will maintain the area as part of their work with people with mental health conditions. Additional funding for the initiative has been provided by celebrity hairdresser Andrew Collinge and haircare brand TIGI, who have lent their support by taking on a range of fundraising activities.
The community project aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people supported at Hwb Cyfle, a state of the art day opportunities service which opened its doors in 2019. Inspiration for the garden arose following the success of Tri Fford, Hft’s prizewinning gardening group which supplies handcrafted horticultural goods to local people and businesses. Staff plan to use the improved outdoor area to provide opportunities for skill development and enterprise, while also encouraging the community to connect with one another.
Work on the garden is due to begin soon, aiming to be ready in time for spring. Plans are in place to transform the space, with specially designed features including wheelchair-accessible raised beds for growing plants and vegetables. The garden will also incorporate aromatic and musical items designed to stimulate the senses and create a stress-free environment. Completing the new space will be a woodland area and an indoor garden classroom, where Hft staff plan to deliver a Healthy Living programme featuring classes focusing on mindfulness, yoga and achieving a balanced diet.
Jordan Smith, Regional Manager at Hft, said:
“We’re delighted to be receiving this incredibly generous grant, which will create opportunities that will make a huge difference to the people we support at Hwb Cyfle. Spending time outdoors is important to everyone, and we’re so excited to have a dedicated space where people with learning disabilities can enjoy some fresh air, learn valuable new skills and socialise. We’ll also be working with the community to strengthen relationships and to support healthy living for all. Staff and people at Hwb Cyfle are already looking forward to picking up their spades and getting in touch with nature!”
Katherine Sellar, Community Programmes Advisor at People’s Postcode Lottery, said:
“It’s not just players who win with People’s Postcode Lottery – local good causes like Hwb Cyfle do too.
“I’m delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery have been able to support this project, which will give lots of different people in the community the opportunity to benefit from getting outdoors and hands on with nature.”
Hft currently supports more than 2,500 people with learning disabilities across the country. This includes supporting people with learning disabilities to live independently in their own homes, providing employment services to help people develop skills and experience for work and helping people to pursue hobbies, make new friends and get involved in their local communities.
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
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For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
Location: Hft Flintshire
