A generous donation made by J.P. Morgan Community Relations Committee to charitable housing association BCHA, will help enable outdoor employability and skills learning opportunities to be delivered more broadly at BCHA’s New Leaf Allotment site in Throop, Bournemouth.
The financial contribution will pay for the acquisition of a high quality and efficient, silent generator, which will provide electricity at the allotment.
Having lighting and some heating on site will allow BCHA to run the courses all year round, not just in the summer and autumn, as well as extending the breadth of teaching and support that it can offer. This will include the use of power tools, which will give participants a wider skill set, as well as enriching the learning opportunities and experience for volunteers and participants.
As a result of improved facilities, BCHA will be able to extend the variety and number of courses and to reach more learners.
The allotment comprises a 2.2 acre outdoor space, which is home to several ground and raised growing beds, poly-tunnels, a pond, 40 apple trees, wildlife and a small wood-working area.
From this peaceful environment, BCHA runs a variety of horticultural courses and projects. The broad variety of programmes, provides continuous support to enable learners to achieve their goals – whether this is attaining a qualification, building skills to enter employment or starting volunteering.
New Leaf Allotment’s participants are mainly vulnerable people and those furthest from the employment market. Its volunteers are ex-participants and community members.
Courses at the allotments are due to restart in August 2020 and will provide face to face learning while following recommended social distancing guidelines provided by Public Health England.
BCHA allotment coordinator Miles Mahoney said:
“This incredibly kind donation by J.P. Morgan will allow us to buy a silent generator, and in turn this will give us much needed lighting and heating in winter months and allow us to run courses at the allotment all year round.”
Lottie Forte, who manages Community Relations for J.P. Morgan Bournemouth commented:
“We are delighted to have supported BCHA in purchasing this equipment for New Leaf Allotment.”
For further information about BCHA’s New Leaf Allotment horticultural courses, or to find out more about volunteering at the allotment call 01202 410500, or visit: https://www.bcha.org.uk/our-services/employability-skills/new-leaf-allotment/