A new garden project at a supported accommodation facility in Croxdale will give vulnerable young people the chance to grow their own food, learn practical skills and build confidence after Moving On Durham secured a £2,000 grant.
The funding comes from the Banks Group’s Banks Community Fund and will help the homelessness charity transform three overgrown allotments found in the grounds of a former social club. Moving On Durham is converting the property into its first supported accommodation facility for 16- to 18-year-olds.
Raised beds, tools and outdoor activities
The grant will pay for raised beds, gardening tools and other equipment, as well as an outdoor activities programme for the new residents. The project is intended to provide more than a place to grow crops, giving young people an opportunity to work together, develop new skills and gain self-confidence.
Moving On Durham is also planning small engagement events later in the year. These are designed to bring residents and people from the local community together as work on the garden progresses.
Peter Richards, chief executive of Moving On Durham, said living independently could be particularly difficult for young people without the family support network that many people rely on. He said the charity aims to provide the support, skills and knowledge residents need as they move into adulthood.
“Our new Croxdale facility will give some of our youngest service users a solid base on which they can build their lives, with expert staff on hand at all times to help them do so.”
Richards said the garden would be important both as a place for residents to make friendships while working with their peers and as a relaxing space. He added that the charity was looking forward to getting outside later in the year.
Facility will house up to eight residents
When it opens, the Croxdale facility will accommodate up to eight residents at a time. It will have 24/7 on-site support from qualified staff, providing a secure base for young people experiencing homelessness or housing-related challenges.
Moving On Durham supports vulnerable young people across County Durham and helps them take their first steps towards independent living. The charity was established in the late 1980s through a partnership between Durham Churches Group and Durham City Youth Project, following concerns about the limited provision of homelessness support and supported lodgings in the city.
Its work has since expanded to include information, advice, guidance and training. The organisation, headquartered in Framwellgate Moor, now manages around 170 properties across the county and provides supported accommodation for more than 200 young people each year.
Banks fund linked to Tudhoe development
The grant was awarded through a community fund supported by the Banks Group, whose property business is behind a planned residential development in Tudhoe. The scheme is expected to deliver around 350 new homes on a 15-hectare site off York Hill Road, including a 15 per cent allocation of affordable housing.
Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, said Moving On Durham’s approach to local homelessness made both an immediate and long-term difference to the quality of life of young tenants. She also highlighted the potential wellbeing benefits of spending time outdoors.
“Everyone knows the positive impact that spending time outdoors can have on their sense of well-being and we hope the new Croxdale residents will enjoy working on their new garden.”
The Banks Group’s community funds are independently managed by Point North, formerly the County Durham Community Foundation. Community groups near a Banks Group project can contact the company through its website enquiry form to check whether they or their project are eligible for funding.