Grants go to enterprising groups in Letchworth

Community groups have been awarded a total of £2,058 following a meeting of the Letchworth Committee.

Green Care at Norton, a social and therapeutic horticulture community interest company, was awarded £898 to work with people from Create Community, a local organisation which helps people learn and get into work.

The money will pay for equipment including hydroponics units and a food dehydration unit, so they can dry and dehydrate surplus produce, such as chillies, herbs, tomatoes and flower petals for potpourri, and sell to fundraise.

This will enable clients to gain valuable hands-on work experience and take an active part in horticulture by becoming a vital link in the chain of production and sales, as well as reduce the amount of waste produce they would have composted. Last year, Green Care was awarded £1,050 towards equipment for their social enterprise based at Standalone Farm.

Ray Wilson, Director of Green Care, said: "Without such solid and ongoing support, we would not be in the enviable position that we are in today.

"We are now a thriving and ever-growing social enterprise which has in recent years helped dozens of adults thanks to both the financial and moral support from council members."

Letchworth Garden Shed Project was awarded £1,160 for to help launch their 'Library of things' which will allow local residents and groups to borrow a wide range of items – such as a hedge trimmer, jet washer, gazebo, projector and popcorn maker! – at a nominal price.

It will also offer free repair days and skills classes, helping to reduce waste and increase sustainability. The money will pay for second-hand shelving units, to organise and store the stock of items available to borrow, second-hand collapsible trestle tables, to set up workstations, and a refurbished TV screen, for fixers to review online 'how to' clips.

Angela Bell, Chair of the Letchworth Garden Shed, said: "We're thrilled to receive this support to help kit out our library of things, especially now, as we're setting up.

"We've seen that having a library of things in a town means everyone has the option to borrow the things they need, or that they'd enjoy, without spending a lot of money, and we think Letchworth deserves a really great one of its own."

In addition, Garden City Samba was granted £600 by Letchworth Committee under delegated authority in January, to enable six refugees to join for free.