Grow Ltd on the move as home gets transformation

The charity, which operated out of the site at Les Petits Quartiers Vinery in the St Sampson’s, is taking up temporary residence at Avondale Vinery in Oatlands Lane while its home undergoes a transformation.

Grow Ltd director Angus Bodman said the move marked the end of seven years’ work which culminated with planning permission for the development being given at the start of this year – which has started another period of significant work.

The goal was to raise half of the cost of the £3m. project by October, with fundraising continuing as the build progresses over the next 18 months.

Grow Ltd provides a site for adults with learning disabilities to train and work in a sheltered horticultural environment.

The changes will see a new cafeteria created where attendees can be trained in food preparation and front-of-house skills.

A better car park will be made for visitors, with a two-storey building housing not only a large workshop and retail area selling products made on-site, but also a health suite and wellbeing centre, alongside canteens for staff and ‘crew’, as the attendees are known.

Change of any kind can upset some people with learning disabilities, but Grow Ltd manager Eddie Higgins said that staff have spent several weeks familiarising the crew with the new location and how to get there.

‘It’s a new home and everyone is very excited and looking forward to it,’ he said.

‘They’re very happy to have another string to their bow.’

Contractors BW Builders move into the site on Monday to start knocking down the old greenhouses and Mr Bodman said these would be replaced with a locally-sourced, re-purposed Venlo greenhouse unit.

He paid tribute to the local businesses that had offered their services to the charity, and said that the project would be overseen by a building manager who works for Rodney Brouard of Stan Brouard Ltd.

‘We have benefited from the support of many individuals and organisations but our architects, Grey Bear and Paul Vaudin & Associates in particular have been unstinting in their technical guidance,’ said Mr Bodman.

He said the support and encouragement of Guy and Julia Hands as the charity’s patrons, and many individual, corporate and charitable foundation donors has enabled it to reach its initial target in just six months.

‘There is much to do but we are off to a flying start.

‘For now we particularly thank all our wonderful staff who have worked so very hard to transfer the business to its temporary site.’