Essex Freemasons gives support to ‘DIG IT’ in Saffron Walden
Essex Freemasons working with Community engagement and providing supportive Charity
‘DIG IT’, a local Saffron Walden charity, gave a very interesting and thought-provoking presentation at the June meeting of Burntwood Lodge No. 8016 (Essex Charity Stewards Lodge) at the Saffron Walden, Masonic Hall. In return Essex Freemasons made a donation of £500.
DIG IT offers many people the opportunity to take part in activities around gardening, woodwork and site maintenance, and have been for over 15 years.
The calm and inclusive setting provides people with a chance to enjoy the outdoors and socialise in their local community. DIG IT provides users and volunteers with the chance to be active, reduce isolation and improve mental wellbeing. Previous gardening experience is not necessary, just an interest in growing and love of the outdoors. The sessions are user led and are designed so that all who are involved can contribute to the development of the site.
At the sessions volunteers grow produce and develop knowledge on how vegetables, herbs and fruits can be introduced into healthy meals to be cooked at home. Work is done on developing new growing techniques within the site including in the greenhouse and polytunnels.
Volunteers and users learn how to propagate seeds and through to harvesting what is grown. Composting areas have been developed to make the site more sustainable, and volunteers are educated on the huge benefits soil can have on wellbeing. Tasks at the allotment are varied from planning, preparing the space, developing the site, planting, upkeep of the plots and harvesting what is grown.
DIG IT are continuously developing accessibility at the allotment to provide wheelchair access throughout the site, greenhouse and summerhouse. Raised planters and tools that cater to all abilities are also now a permanent fixture. Volunteers and users have various learning, mental and physical disabilities as well as other barriers to inclusion. This fantastic outdoor space offers a calm, inclusive and social setting which in turn will reduce isolation and promote community cohesion.
Lee Huggins (Project Manager) presented, along with Lisa Harper (Site Manager) and Marion Turner (Service Lead). Lee said, “The planned extension and development of the ‘Japanese Garden’ have shown how this very important project can help many more people to re-engage and improve their mental health. All our funding comes from donations from our valuable supporters, trusts & foundations, corporate funding and local authority grants. The continuing support from Essex Freemasons will help us speed up our development projects and extend our services.”
Chris Hicks, Provincial Grand Charity Steward (PGChStwd), added that, “This is just the type of good cause that will be part of the Essex Freemasons Community Engagement projects. It is very important that Freemasonry in Essex, and elsewhere, engage with local causes, charities and projects that are relevant today and tomorrow.”
Read more about DIG IT on their website: https://dig-it.org.uk
Photograph L – R:
Marion Turner, Lisa Harper, Steve Bruyel (Deputy PGChStwd), Lee Huggins, Chris Hicks (PGChStwd), Richard Peet (Group Charity Steward)
