Watford disability group secures allotment support

A Watford disability charity will launch a farm-to-fork project – with the help of Selco.

Watford Mencap has won £500 worth of materials through the Community Heroes campaign.

The charity supports more than 600 local people with learning disabilities each year.

The Community Heroes funding will allow Watford Mencap to create an allotment where members can learn horticultural skills while growing produce to be cooked in its training kitchen.

And it could get better yet for the charity which will go forward to a public vote final later in the year with £5,000 up for grabs for the winner.

Michelle Hamilton, fundraising manager at Watford Mencap, said: “We were thrilled to hear we had been selected as a Community Heroes winner.

“We provide a multitude of services including registered care homes, children’s services, leisure and learning opportunities, as well as free information and advice.

“These building materials will help us to create an exciting allotment area where people can learn new skills while enjoying friendship and exercise.

“They will then cook as a group before eating a meal together.

“These are difficult times for charities so it’s brilliant to see Selco getting involved with groups across the country.”

Selco, which has a branch in Watford on Imperial Way, is awarding two £500 building materials prizes each month throughout the six-month Community Heroes campaign.

All 12 winners will be entered into the final public vote for the £5,000 cash jackpot or the £1,000 runner-up prize.

The scheme is open to any charity or group which is at the heart of its local community and entry can be made by explaining in no more than 100 words how they would use the building materials or money to benefit them.

Entries can be made online.

Carine Jessamine, Selco marketing director, said: “We’re delighted to support Watford Mencap and the fantastic work they do in South West Hertfordshire.

“We have had an incredible number of entries to Community Heroes and it has been a very difficult task picking the winners so far. There are so many amazing causes across the country but Watford Mencap really stood out and we can’t wait to see the new allotment area.”

Other Community Heroes winners so far this year include Bury Veterans Hub and St John Ambulance Cymru.