‘Can Do’ Community Project

Posted at 11:36 am on 17th October, 2019

Eco Centre Welcomes The Toy House and ‘Can Do’

In September, Wellacre’s Eco Centre welcomed a new community project with volunteers from The Toy House and Can Do Manchester.

Leonard Cheshire, the charity behind the Can Do programme, works with partners to open doors to opportunity.   This community project has brought together the Toy House, a community hub for Trafford families, and Trafford Choices, which works with SEN adults within the local area.  It has provided the young people with opportunities to learn new skills, meet new people and to make a difference to their local community.

For six weeks, the group have been visiting Wellacre’s on-site Eco Centre to carry out a number of activities including composting, planting herbs on the Eco wall, potting cacti and spring bulbs, weeding the flower beds to prepare them for next year, and clearing the path around the pond.   

Toy House volunteers Bob Perry and Victoria MacLeod-Griffiths have led the activities with their gardening expertise and have been on hand to teach the young group new skills.  

Margaret Bamber, from the Toy House said:

“The intergenerational connection has been fabulous to observe between the volunteers and the young people.  Connor, one of the young gardeners, has been shaking Bob's hand each week and saying, 'Thank you for showing me how to do that'.” 

When the six week project is completed, the goal is for the Toy House to carry on the community project by bringing young volunteers and families to the Eco Centre.   

Lisa Miller, Programme Coordinator, Can Do Manchester, added:

“The aim of this Can Do programme at Wellacre is to provide an invaluable opportunity for the young adults to improve their confidence, learn new skills and create friendships in an inclusive community project.” 

“Wellacre’s Eco Centre has enabled the group to enjoy horticultural work experience with a huge choice of activities in and around the Eco Domes, gardens and pond, learning about the environment and ecology.”