Don’t Lose Hope given lease to use Wellhead Community Garden in Bourne

Don’t Lose Hope has been given an official lease to continue its use of the Wellhead Community Garden in Bourne. Volunteers at the mental health charity have been using the land behind Shippon Barn, which is owned by Bourne United Charities, unofficially since last year.

David Mapp, chairman at Bourne United Charities, said: “We are really pleased to be able to help Don’t Lose Hope continue with its vital work, it is an excellent charity providing a much needed mental health service in the community.”

Nicola Brister, founder of Don’t Lose Hope, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from local organisations and are particularly grateful for the use of the Wellhead Community Garden. The donations from Bourne United Charities and the Len Pick Trust have allowed us to continue offering support to the community while the café has been closed due to coronavirus.”

Nicola added: “The garden space will be used to grow produce to use in the café, encourage positive links with nature and its benefits to mental health, increase community spirit and reduce social isolation, as well as provide a space where people can visit, sit, talk, listen and share. The space will also house a ‘man-shed’ style workshop where people can bring items to be repaired, repurposed or reused rather than going to landfill. There will be workshops and training sessions to allow people to learn new skills, build friendships and raise funds for the charity through selling items produced. This is a very exciting project for Bourne.”

Published by: Stamford Mercury | 9 June 2020