Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) is delighted to have received a £5,000 donation from John Lewis to help fund its eco-therapy project, ‘Greengage’, based in Swanage.
The Greengage project is a wellbeing hub designed to give a new lease of life to people in the local community, by helping them to enrich their lives through ecotherapy and therapeutic horticulture.
The scheme has helped a wide range of people from all backgrounds, genders and fitness levels, including those living with dementia or mental health issues and the long-termed unemployed.
John Lewis Branch Manager, Jeremy Adams said, “I’m delighted the John Lewis Foundation supported the application to help DWT with their activities. The Foundation money comes directly from the 5p levy that we are required to charge customers by law for plastic carrier bags.”
DWT Communications Officer, Sally Welbourn, said, “We are very grateful to John Lewis for this donation which will go towards improving the Greengage site and providing tools and materials for people to use who are taking part in the project. The project helps its participants to maintain regular and meaningful contact with nature which will in turn help them to feel better from spending time outside.”
The Greengage project has transformed a former commercial plant nursery owned by Swanage Town Council. Through the project, the site will be restored to provide 0.5 acres of good quality land for wildlife friendly horticulture. The site includes a large greenhouse and cold frames, and participants of the project have created a new vegetable plot.
To find out more about Greengage and how to get involved, visit https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/index.html