Dear Friends
We're almost there! Our Therapy and Wellbeing Centre, the Changing Rooms, has been a labour of love (mostly!) since 2020 and we're sooooo close to the finish line...
We know there's a cost of living crisis, and we know we've asked before, but we desperately need you, our community, to help us raise the last chunk of money that will enable us to finally open the doors and start generating income to support the ongoing work of the garden. Being in an affluent area has meant its a real struggle to fund the work of the Therapy Garden, so the building is hopefully the key to a long term future for the services we provide.
The last stages of the project include installing bike and bin storage, and whilst these don't sound terribly exciting, we must comply with planning conditions. So we've chosen to install special structures that double up to provide habitat and forage for birds, bees and other wildlife. We'll be installing a self-sustaining green roof, planted with nectar rich native plants (as well as some carefully selected non-natives for early- and late-season pollinators), and bird boxes to provide safe nesting areas for some of our feathered friends. When we can finally bring all elements of this project together, we'll have a space that's not just functional, but also a model of sustainability and biodiversity. And crucially, this last bit of crowdfunding will fulfil a variety of purposes required to finally finish and open for trading.
If you're in a position to donate towards this phase, whether it’s the cost of a cup of coffee or a little more, it will make a big difference. If we get enough small donations it will unlock a 75% grant from LCR Community Environment Fund, and a local business has agreed to match any shortfall, so although it looks like an impossible task, we can and will hit our target if LCR accept us onto their grant.
They will only do this if we can demonstrate we have a community who values and cares about what we do. Every amount, no matter how small, counts towards our goal of demonstrating community support for the Changing Rooms, and our therapeutic garden project.
There's less than 2wks to go, so if you can spare just a few pounds to help us reach our goal, you can donate here: Changing Rooms Crowdfunder
We're so grateful for your support, and looking forward to continuing this nourishing journey of community driven development!
Best wishes from all of us at
The Growing Sudley Team