MaTReC Community Cafe & Sensory Allotment Project

Aim

MaTRec is wanting to create a community cafe and a sensory allotment to help reduce social isolation and improve health and well-being.

The MaTReC café and sensory allotment project will benefit the community by providing them with a local community hub that is sustainable through growing our own produce to use in the community café to provide nutritious and healthy meals to the local community.  Many of the local residents are from deprived and disadvantaged backgrounds and would benefit from this project in terms of improved mental health as well as improved general health and well-being.  The project aims to combat social isolation and encourage local residents to come to a place where they can grab a meal and have a space to socialise.

The project aims to:-

- Create a  sensory allotment to provide a space for children and adults with Autism.  Groups will be able to spend time at the allotment and have a space to grow their own produce, to cook and eat in our community cafe.

- Provide community spaces to combat social isolation, mental health issues etc and improve health and well-being in our local community.

- Volunteer opportunities with optional qualifications in all areas i.e volunteering, food hygiene, horticulture etc

- A community cafe to provide free or low cost food to deprived families within the local community and offer cooking on a budget classes using fresh allotment produce.

- Encourage community participation and bring local people together as a social space for local groups i.e. autism groups, elderly etc

-  offer Life skills training and support to learners with specific learning difficulties and or mental health problems.

- The project will be Eco – Friendly and will use up-cycling and recycling of unwanted items where possible and appropriate.

- Set up a parents of autistic children support group where parents can share their experience and can advise one another.

- Set up an after school club for Autistic children and their siblings to do crafts and games and make friends.

The project aims to use Partnership working and networking with local businesses to get local community support and involvement in the project.

Poppy the Cockapoo Therapy Dog

We are also hoping to pay for the services of Poppy the Cockapoo as a therapy dog for the project.   She is trained to provide affection and comfort in therapeutic situations. Therapy dogs are very popular in the autism community for their calming influence and ability to promote social interaction in our mission to combat social isolation and provide and promote furry friendships.

Our Easter Raffle - Chocolate Galore  

Every little helps. We've already raised more than £40 towards our goal. Thanks to our wonderful learners and centre visitors who have bought raffle tickets and donated some prizes.

This project successfully funded on 28th April 2020