Local companies lend us a helping hand!

Josi Zane, Fundraising and Communications Officer writes:

Through out the past few months the Community Market Garden has hosted over 80 volunteers from local, Hertfordshire-based companies including Waitrose, John Lewis, Yorkshire Bank, Skanska, Succession Wealth, IPA and IGT.  All groups enjoyed a peaceful and thought-provoking day helping us with the general upkeep of the garden and preparations for our spring open day. Volunteers dug up and cut weeds, moved bricks, painted our yurt and spread compost under blue skies, accompanied by live music and singing from our residents.

Whilst volunteering, visitors are encouraged to explore the garden; its creative, hidden works of art and its unexpected treasures.  Preconceptions about homelessness are challenged as visitors spend time chatting with garden users and finding out about the trepidations and successes of those we support. 

Volunteers have helped make the prospect of growing plants less daunting to those new to gardening; an invaluable pastime that provides opportunities for personal growth, reflection and relaxation for those we support. Garden users now have the opportunity to select their own small plot of land in which to nurture plants over an extended period of time thanks to volunteers from corporate groups who kindly built dividers to divide up a large plot of land.

A volunteer from a corporate team recently described the Community Market Garden as:

“A true arc of outstanding beauty that should be preserved at all costs”

Thank you so much to Waitrose, John Lewis, Yorkshire Bank, Skanska, Succession Wealth, IPA and IGT for all of your on-going support!

Please contact Rebecca at rpalmer@newhope.org.uk to find out how your organisation can support New Hope to prevent homelessness and transform lives.