TK Maxx Middlesbrough

Since our last neighbourly campaign we have come a long way at our Kirkleatham project, Growing in Harmony. We have created a number of raised beds, put up a polytunnel, moved our chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs across to the new site. We have also been able to support many volunteers who are mainly ex-homeless, long-term unemployed, people that face financial or social problems usually including isolation and loneliness.As we hoped, the site has become a venue where people can feel that they belong as well as meet new people and learn new [or re-use old] skills. Again as hoped, a large part of the work has been development of skills for volunteers which could lead them back into employment or for younger people traineeships and apprenticeships. For many volunteers the Growing in Harmony Project is a chance to work with nature in a tranquil country setting on the edge of a town [Redcar]. Some of the people on site have had troubled backgrounds but we also have volunteers [local people] that have skills they want to pass on and help others. Now that the project is well into its stride we need your help again to take it to the next level. Although we’ve been able to make some raised beds we would like to make many more, enabling us not only to produce more food but to support more people. Our hope is that neighbourly can provide us with the funding to buy building materials, topsoil and compost for the raised beds. We would also like to purchase heritage seeds which will allow us to grow vegetables that are no longer available in the shops, allowing our service users to learn more about unusual produce and the history of the food we now consider normal. The pathways of the site are also in need of renovation, to make the site more accessible to those with mobility challenges and safer for all who use it. Kirkleatham museum has a play area for older children, however we would like to develop a young children’s play area, this will make using the site more manageable for families with young children who might otherwise struggle to access the training opportunities we offer due to childcare difficulties or lack of support.