The Ridge Drop-In at the Backlands
Social Inclusion
We want to offer a daily drop-in service in the Backlands, with staff available to support gardening activities as well as advice/support.
About this cause
We provide: - Locally-accessible support and training to disadvantaged adults and young people, with a view to improving their life chances, in particular (where appropriate) through support into employment. - Support to those struggling to access adequate healthy food, in particular young families. - A community cafe at the Bleachingfield Community Centre, - Free meals, life skills training and free food from a freezer in the foyer - Volunteering/training opportunities in The Backlands Training Garden (eg growing food, landscaping, conservation masonry), helping combat mental health/ social isolation issues - Some crisis support - we help people ourselves where possible, and can make referrals to collaborative partners but we struggle to fund this - employ-ability training/support
How this cause brings people in the community together
Support provision is all at the other end of the county and difficult/expensive to access. People need help to overcome practical issues (eg debt, benefit issues, housing, mental/physical health, hunger, poverty) to help them start taking control of their lives (moving from dependency towards contribution) The community benefits from happier/healthier/contributing individuals.