Published on: 1 July 2021
Medway Community Healthcare is delighted to have taken delivery of a beautifully handcrafted wooden planter and picnic bench to be situated at the two allotments plots we have at Fort Amherst for our ASPIRE project.
The items were commissioned by MCH and handmade by members of the Octopus Foundation - a charitable organisation which works with vulnerable, marginalised people from areas of multiple deprivation in Kent and Medway. By providing a workshop for members of the community to connect, learn new skills and craft items using woodwork skills, the charity helps improve the mental health and wellbeing of those it supports.
“The ethos of the Octopus Foundation links incredibly well with the work we are doing as part of the ASPIRE programme, which will support people in Medway to improve their health and enhance their employability,” explains Julie Webster, ASPIRE Programme Lead.
“Once the ASPIRE project is up and running later this year, our two allotment plots will be key to the programme, providing a place where people can learn how to grow produce and improve their wellbeing by being outside working alongside other. The produce will also be used as part of the cooking element of ASPIRE, giving people the opportunity to further improve their health. We are particularly delighted to be able to purchase these beautifully-made items to enhance the allotment plots as ASPIRE gets under way in Medway.”