The BWCE Fund has supported the Carers Centre to create a food garden to enable carers to learn to grow food in order to increase sustainability and food security. Alex Whitfield explains how the donation has benefited local carers.
The Carers’ Centre is a local charity and friendly community which supports thousands of unpaid carers living in Bath and North East Somerset. For over 20 years, we have strived to ensure that unpaid carers of all ages are recognised, valued and supported.
Although many people don’t relate to the term ‘unpaid carer’, it’s used to describe someone who cares for a family member or friend due to an illness or disability.
Whilst caring for someone can be hugely rewarding, it can also be stressful, isolating and exhausting. We provide free, trusted advice and support to carers along with a range of activities and get-togethers designed to help carers improve their own wellbeing.
Our premises are located at Woodlands on the Lower Bristol Road in Bath. One of its features is a lovely community garden where carers can enjoy a bit of ‘me time’ away from the challenges of their caring role, or chat with others over a cuppa.
Thanks to a generous grant of £4,000 from Bath and West Community Energy received in December 2021, we’ve recently been developing a new food garden which has brought new life to the community garden space.
The food garden is to benefit local people by creating a place where carers of all ages can learn, socialise and grow their own food – increasing our and their sustainability whilst reducing carbon footprint.
“We were so thrilled and grateful to receive the grant from Bath and West Community Energy. Caring can often be an isolating role mainly spent indoors, so it’s wonderful to have a new outdoor space where carers can spend time together and learn new skills.”
Sarah Dixon, Wellbeing Services Manager
We’re pleased to say that thanks to the hard work of green-fingered volunteers, the food garden has really taken shape. A new greenhouse and raised beds have been installed where some lovely plants, herbs and vegetables are growing.
More importantly, it’s been heart-warming to see carers enjoying the area and taking part in several new food and foraging workshops we’ve organised over the spring and summer months.
It’ll certainly be place that’s enjoyed by carers for years to come.
For more information about The Carers’ Centre, please visit our new website: www.banescarerscentre.org.uk
