Life at No.27 Therapy Allotments and Garden in Towcester has been open since 2019, providing free and low cost mental health counselling, allotments and horticultural therapy for those in need within the local community.
Unless we can raise a minimum of £20,000 the whole project in Towcester, Northamptonshire will need to close in November 2024!
So we have launched a Crowdfunder campaign and would love you to share it with any friends, family and local businesses that may be interested in helping. Here is the link:
Over the last five years we have strived to help improve the wellbeing of those amazing community members who are attend our sessions. Whether it be through self-refferal or GP referral. Offering weekly and twice weekly support for adults experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, PND and challenges relating to loss, trauma and addiction.
“Since gaining a small allotment at ‘Life at No.27’ my mental health and general well being has never been so good. The opportunity to work with a piece of land and turn it into a sustainable food source has been fantastic. I have planted and sowed seeds and week by week watched them turn into a full meal for my family and I. It has given me headspace and perspective which no medication could and I am so grateful for this. To have this taken away undoes all the work many of us have put in to come this far not only on our allotments but also our mental health.” Adult client gardener.
We have also been running our weekly After School Club for children, which provides a safe, fun, outdoor space for the relax, play, express themselves and learn new skills after the school day.
“The girls really love it – thank you very much.” Parent, 2024
Why we will have to close:
We rely on grant funding and donations to run the therapy garden and allotments and I recently found out that following my application, we haven’t been awarded the usual grant we have that keeps the site going every year. Funding is getting tighter and tighter, meaning the larger well known named charities are going for the smaller pots of funds, that us and other local groups rely on. Based on this news, unless we can raise a minimum of £20,000 the whole project in Towcester will need to close in November.
What we need to raise and why:
- £20,000 would enable us to recruit a therapy manager and counsellor to run the site and work with clients for the whole of 2025.
- An extra £8,000 would enable us to ensure that the therapy garden is professionally maintained throughout the whole year.
- An extra £12,000 would enable us to recruit a dedicated fundraising manager.
We would love your support to help keep the site going and so that we can work towards a more sustainable plan in 2025.
Testimonials:
“As someone who has tried CBT and talking therapy but felt awkward being face to face with a stranger in a therapy room, seeing Annabelle in the garden is a different experience. Annabelle puts me at ease and having the fresh air, plants, birds, mindful tasks like planting seeds, weeding, touching and smelling the herbs, takes away all my self-consciousness and allows me to think, feel and speak freely. It has given me the courage and clarity to make really significant changes in my life, and ongoing support to navigate any difficulties and maintain the positives“
ADULT 1-2-1 CLIENT
“It’s been great! It’s really boosted my confidence.”
STUDENT – 13 YEARS OLD
