Story
I have challenged myself to Run 5K (approx 3.2 miles) On June 11th.
To me this is a massive thing. I am not, nor never have been, a runner . I am using running to try keep fit and lose weight.
I want to use this challenge to help a charity I feel do an amazing job.
The Ways & Means Trust, based in Rotherfield Peppard, which includes Greenshoots, its horticultural therapy gardening site, works with some 60+ adults each week, who have learning, physical or mental health disabilities.
The Charity provides training, socialisation and work experience opportunities in a friendly, person-centred setting to help them to lead rewarding lives, realise their potential and to build their confidence.
It engages with community groups and employers to educate on disability and to value inclusion and independence.
The Charity is 100% self funded, receives no government grants and all donated money is used to maintain the service to its beneficiaries.
The Charity consists of three parts :
- A light commercial packing and repacking operation which offers contract packing, e.g., shrink-wrapping, collation, hand finishing, assembling point-of-sale displays and packing products for retail sales.
- A canteen operation which allows learning of skills for independent living and gives experience for catering employment opportunities.
- Greenshoots, the Charity’s plant nursery , where the beneficiaries learn horticultural tasks; growing fruit, vegetable & plants to sell to the general public.
The few employees the Charity has work long hours and put in many extra hours, giving up evenings and weekends, in order to fundraise, so the Charity can continue to provide a fantastic facility that enhances the lives of the adults attending.