> Project Case Study
Hamelin Trust - Sutton Bridge Farm; Roots Shoots and Muddy Boots
Funding: Measure 1.2 - £105,207
For many of the members of the Roots, Shoots nad Muddy Boots Training and Social Enterprise team, this is the first time they've been treated like 'normal' people, encouraged to use their own intiative to make decisions and solve problems in a work environment.
Most of the 36 members have some form of learning difficuilty,
conditions such as Aspergers or Autism, or suffer from mental health problems;
most are also now working towards national qualifications. Over the last
four years they have transformed the grounds of Sutton Bridge Farm creating
a horticultural social enterprise which is gathering momentum every year.
The project began with five and a half acres of overgrown land that had not been touched for 20 years, and as they got funding for tools and equipment, the team began to gradually transform it. Three acres of woodland have been carefully managed, formal beds have been created and maintained, immaculate lawns formed from overgrown scrub and a sensory garden developed for residents at the respite care home housed on the site.
From the start, the aim has been to develop a social enterprise and the newly dug allotments offer one way to make that work. A local nursery will be selling teh produce this year and the team are also setting up a farmers' market stall, which will raise funds but also improve member's skills with customers and money.
Outside contracts provide anotherincome stream and have come about as a result of the high quality work on show at Sutton Bridge Farm. The team have been able to purchase a vehicle and two members have been employed in paid positions to carry out the work.
"This project has changed many of the members' lives beyong recognition. i would pay them all if I could as they do such good work. As the social enterprise expands we hope to employ as many members in paid positions as possible. In the meantime everyone is working towards recognised qualifications ." Simon Bennett, Project Manager
