The Lions Club of Morpeth and the Co-op join in a new initiative to benefit blind and partially sighted people at Vision Northumberland
THIS IS HOW YOU CAN HELP US
The Lions Club of Morpeth gardening group (part of the Environmental Group) have been assisting Vision Northumberland over the last few years mainly keeping footpaths clear and weeding. The garden is located to the rear of the Vision Northumberland Offices in Staithes Lane and it was always intended to be used by the blind and partially sighted members mainly in the summer. However, the garden became largely overgrown and to a certain extent unsuitable for the members due to obstacles and trip hazards.
It was decided a little while ago that the garden should be completely transformed and a joint team of Vision Northumberland helpers and Lions agreed on a proposal for the garden to make it much more suitable for the members to use.
The plan is to remove much of the existing planting and shrubbery and create a large patio area and moveable planters whilst retaining some of the key features of the garden such as the ornamental gates and wooden centre piece. These would be repaired and refurbished.
The planters would be scented, colourful and easily managed and would be able to be moved around the patio area as required.
The patio area would be also equipped with outdoor furniture, table and chairs and would provide outdoor seating in the spring & summer for the Vision Northumberland cafe.
Both Lions and Vision Northumberland feel that this refurbishment to the garden would be a significant benefit to the members and provide great pleasure in the summer months utilising the outside space.
The garden in its current state
HOW YOU CAN HELP US RAISE FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT
In May 2022, Lions Club of Morpeth put forward an application for funding for this garden project to the local Co-op Community Fund and outlined the benefits for the members.
In early October, Lions were informed that we had been successful with our application and our project had been chosen (together with another two local projects) for funding from Co-op shoppers. All funds raised via the Co-op Local Community fund to Lions Club of Morpeth will be used to support the Garden Project.
What this means in practice is that Co-op Members (both instore or on line) can now chose Lions Club of Morpeth as their chosen cause and once chosen, from that point forward over the next year until October 2023 any shopping they do at the Co-op a small percentage of the value will be donated by the Co-op into the Lions Club of Morpeth pot. The total will become payable to us in Oct 2023.