Sharing the community love at Valentines

A Valentine’s gift with a difference, The Grow Organisation in Bowthorpe received £1,000 from the East of England Co-op Funeral Services helping to support their weekly Veterans’ Drop-in.

The organisation, located in Norwich NR5, promotes mental health wellbeing through outdoor-based activities and basic life skills to the whole community, including veterans, those with mental health concerns and people at risk of social isolation.

The donation made by the East of England Co-op Funeral Services will be used to help fund food and refreshments at The Grow Organisation Limited’s weekly Veterans’ Drop-in, hosted at Bowthorpe Community Hub every Thursday. The volunteer-run activity is considered the best attended in the city and provides an opportunity for members of the Armed Forces, blue-light emergency services, veterans (of both) and their families, to socialise while enjoying hot food, cakes and drinks.

Local Funeral Co-ordinator Natalie Pannell popped along to the drop-in session to meet with the volunteers and veterans at The Hub. She said: “It was great to come along and meet the fantastic volunteers, veterans and their families. The Hub is such a valuable service for the Bowthorpe community, with lots of great activities and resources. I’m very proud to be able to support them to continue the brilliant work they do here.”

As well as food, those attending can benefit from free therapy treatments, such as acupuncture and eco-therapy.

Andrew Jardine, Head of Projects at The Grow Organisation, said: “The work we do here is so varied and incredibly meaningful. Whilst the business does have a commercial edge to it, we do have many mouths to feed and are often under considerable funding pressures. That’s what makes this kind gift from our friends at the East of England Co-op so special. Thank you!”.

More information about The Grow Organisation and Mow & Grow Limited can be found at www.thegroworganisation.org.