B&Q Wakefield

Hi. Our community group was set up back in March 2020 amid the lock down for the vulnerable. From there we set up a food bank & also did shopping for the vulnerable and collected prescriptions etc. We now have referrals from the Wakefield North and have been commended by Wakefield Council for the running of the food bank and the number of local people we have been able to help. We have had radio coverage too which came as a surprise! One of our volunteers was even interviewed on Radio Leeds quite recently. Our social media is covering a vast area and referrals come through Wakefield council for the food bank. The community is also donating. But due the ever increasing demand we still run short of food items. Any donations would be much appreciated and we can move forward in knowing we have the goods for the food bank for the referrals coming through. Thank you from all our volunteers @ Wrenthorpe & Kirkhamgate Assist.

We are operating in a deprived area which has high unemployment and many one parent families who are struggling with every day living. There are very few opportunities for children to engage with other children and enjoy a wide range of activities. We provide Pony therapy, indoor & outdoor activity sessions for children of all ages, inc. SEND children. We also visit nursing homes, residential care home & day care centres with our therapy pony Crunchy. Our aim is help children develop through play and pony husbandry in a safe environment and give them an opportunity to develop their social skills, confidence and self-esteem. Our volunteers are all DBS checked and attend regular courses in safeguarding and first aid. We hope to create a simple menu for community cafe meals from the surplus food and distribute the remainder within the local community from a local community centre. We provide a simple warm meal for the children who attend our pony therapy sessions, now that the colder months are heading closer. Our Sunday pony pals sessions are held in our barn so hot soups will help warm them in the winter months. We run a successful School's Out project during school holidays and we provide lunch and snacks free to the children. We also have rescue ponies and goats.

Growing Works nurtures healthy lives outdoors, working within the community to support diverse families and individuals, people with a range of vulnerabilities, who face isolation and are marginalised. We support participants to make positive changes in their lives by connecting people with their environment and providing supportive activities we can help to improve health and wellbeing and enable our participants to build relationships and access support. Our programmes include BUD, Young Shoots and Sprout. We work with people of all ages and from all backgrounds, everyone is included. Growing Works is dedicated to addressing individual needs through the provision of outdoor, inclusive, therapeutic activities such as gardening, healthy cooking and eating, nature and bush crafts. Our services are based in urban, economically deprived areas of Kirklees, with our main therapeutic site in Dalton, Huddersfield. Being a small charity, we rely heavily on grants and donations e.g. from B&Q and need things like wood for raised beds, peat free compost, eco kitchen and cleaning products for our outdoor kitchen, bird feeders and bird food, garden tools and building materials, garden furniture. These items would be used to further our work on our programmes: Bud – Therapeutic gardening, skills building and outdoor crafts for people aged 18 and over to aid wellbeing, predominantly for those with a range of vulnerabilities or socially isolated. Also offering wellbeing and training sessions open to all, including edible growing courses; foraging discovery walks; bushcraft. Sprout (Strong Parents Reaching Out) – Providing support using a whole family approach that is open to those with children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) or Social, Emotional and Mental Health, (SEHM). It offers early intervention, encouraging peer support; providing a safe space for the whole family to feel relaxed and supported. Young Shoots – For young people 13+ with SEND / SEHM. Courses in bushcraft, cooking, conservation and environmental exploration allow life skills, confidence and independence to develop.