Thursday 19th August was an auspicious day for Five Acres Community Garden as MP, Paul Howell, officially launched the project.
The day centre was the brainchild of Debbie and Gavin Iceton and offers 16-30 year olds, with learning difficulties, the opportunity to create crafts, get involved in agriculture and horticulture, enjoy day trips and many other activities. Covid caused a minor disruption to the initial plans of converting a ‘five acre’ field at Brafferton to accommodate the attendees, but, temporary premises were offered at ROF59 by John Finley, which allowed the project to move forward. Future plans are to combine both sites with indoor and outdoor activities for the ‘Champions’ to enjoy.
Activities at ROF59 currently offer arts and crafts, drama, music, sports and gardening. Brafferton will offer agriculture, horticulture, a community garden and small animal husbandry. There will also be respite lodges at the Brafferton site for champions and community use.
Pioneering Care Partnership have donated an amazing £5000 towards a garden shed and poly-tunnel, while Crafters Companion donated most of the contents of their shop, which closed last year and was converted into a TV studio and Flymo/Husqvarna have also donated gardening equipment to enable the Champions to go out into the community and tend to gardens for those who are unable to. Howdens Joinery have kindly donated kitchen units and worktops for the modular building which will be located at the Brafferton site.
‘The Champions’, the name given to the young adults who attend Five Acres, was initially for 16 to 25 year olds, but now some of them are over 25 and enjoying the activities just as much as the younger members.
Five Acres offer a bespoke day service that members are happy to access and make their own choices and express themselves.
MP Paul Howell said “I am delighted to have been invited to officially open the Five Acre project, I am sure this will inspire and enrich the lives of all those who come along to use the facilities that have been created for them.”
“Husqvarna are very happy to support the Five Acres Community Garden Project. The team at Five Acres have done an amazing job to get this off the ground and up and running in such a short period of time. They are making a huge difference to the lives of young adults and their families and it has been a privilege to help in some small way. Five Acres is a great community project and we would encourage other local companies to get involved in any way they can”, said Gary Blenkinsopp from Husqvarna.
“All the staff at Five Acres bring something remarkable to the project and we couldn’t do this without them. Starting as a thought in 2019, and seeing it come to fruition, with all the help and donations we have received, is overwhelming and humbling. Thank you to all those who have volunteered, donated and helped in any way – you know who you are. This is not our project, this is everyone’s project, from Councillors to Champions to the Community and other like-minded groups. Every one of us are beginning a journey to bring people of all backgrounds closer together”, said Debbie.
Gavin Iceton commented, “Every single member of the Five Acre staff has embraced this project and helped it grow into something amazing, they are truly outstanding and is the reason why parents and champions alike, talk about the Five Acres Feeling”.