THE last year has been a bit of a roller coaster and unfortunately the stresses and strains have taken their toll on all of us in some shape or form.
Throughout key workers, charities, friends, and families have stepped up to meet the challenges thrown at us, but as many of you are no doubt aware charities up and down the UK are struggling as a result of Covid-19.
Which is why the team at Hawkshead Relish have decided to do something to try and help a local charity Growing Well, based at Low Sizergh Farm, near Kendal, raise some much-needed funds to help it continue to deliver the vital help and support it gives to those living with mental health issues.
The work the charity undertakes allows people to reconnect with nature, reduce their levels of depression and anxiety, and improve their social functioning and as a result their ability to pursue development opportunities.
But COVID-19, and the response to the pandemic, has seen a significant impact on the nation’s mental health through increased exposure to stressors such as social isolation, job and financial loss, housing insecurity, the loss of coping mechanisms, reduced access to mental health services. Which is why there has been an increased demand for the services offered by Growing Well and indeed there will be a continued long-term demand in the wake of the pandemic for some considerable time to come.
Growing Well is a charity and relies on the support of the public to be able to help the people that need its services currently and will need its services in the future. The charity’s horticultural enterprise and veg box scheme allows people to learn new skills, reconnect with nature, rebuild confidence, and reduce levels of depression and anxiety, helping them to progress or return to employment, education or volunteering in the community. Funding is limited and, in many cases, charities are really struggling in light of the current economic landscape.
As a result, Maria and her team at Hawkshead Relish have decided to fundraise for Growing Well by donating £1.00 for every mile walked or run as part of their normal daily exercise from home taken by them during the whole of February.
The team would like others to join in and help them reach their £1,000 target, by simply walking or running during February and then donating funds for every mile they cover at the end of the month through a specially created JustGiving page, which can be found at: https://bit.ly/2MOI0L7
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So, it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
Maria Whitehead co-owner of Hawkshead Relish commented: ‘’We support Growing Well because of the work they do in the community. The support they provide is needed now more than ever and could so easily be needed by any one of us at any time in the future. There’s no question that the charity plays a vital role in supporting and helping people, it’s also a place that raises awareness and understanding of mental health issues and sadly a great many more of us will need the support of organisations like Growing Well in the comings months as a result of the pandemic, which is why it deserves our wholehearted support.’’
Growing Well Chief Executive Mary Smith said: “Maria and the team at Hawkshead Relish have a never-ending stream of ideas to support out mental health work, for which we are so grateful, and their latest fundraiser is a wonderful way to get your daily lockdown exercise and raise money for our cause at the same time.”
