As part of their work to bring businesses and voluntary organisations together, Three Hands put forward a number of projects to Direct Line, the insurance company, and they chose Mind in Croydon as the charity they wanted to work with. Twenty one people from Direct Line along with members of our staff and service users have worked for two days on the plot. It has now been transformed with planting areas, paths, raised beds and will shortly benefit from a greenhouse, shed and decking. All equipment has been provided by the staff at Direct Line who held fund-raising events to purchase spades, shovels, rakes etc. A forward planting plan has been devised which gives detailed guidance on how the project will develop.

Mind in Croydon has acquired a sizeable allotment in South Croydon near Orchard House, our new Social Inclusion and Employment Project. The allotment was overgrown and had 40 old fruit trees on it. Service users will benefit from many years to come from having a practical project that they will run to provide, produce to cook and eat for a healthier lifestyle.