A space for art and nature

Funded on
14 Sep 2017

Help us transform our ugly car park into a bee-autiful garden and art studio for people with a learning disability. It will be tended to and loved by the people we support as they learn new skills.

£15,905 Raised of £16,057

87 Backers

99%

Costs

Ready-made studio £11,000
Seeds, bulbs and plants £1,530
6 Raised beds £900
Soil for beds £816
Tools and equipment £383
Wooden compost bin £306
3 cold frames £179
3 polytunnels £170
Portable ramp £150
Storage box £100
Other + £60

2 water butts £60
Target: (inc. fees) £16,056

http://www.thecamdensociety.co.uk/home

For over 50 years, The Camden Society has been helping people with a learning disability to live the lives they choose.

For most of the 20^th century, people with a learning disability were hidden away from society, sent to live in long-stay institutions and excluded from mainstream life. Now they are able to play a more active role in mainstream society. However, there is still a long way to go:

1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability
only six out of 100 are in paid employment
nine out of 10 have been the victims of bullying.

Even today, people with a learning disability are unable to find the jobs that they want and are capable of doing. Many lack the confidence to form the relationships, both social and intimate, that are so central to all our lives. They have to confront discrimination, bullying and a lack of understanding about their disability – at work, in public, and as they go about their daily lives.

Our wide range of services has been developed by listening to people with a learning disability, and their carers, and responding to their wishes. For some people, this means support to find a job, apprenticeship or training course. For others, we enable them to continue living independently by helping them to do their weekly shop or pay their bills, We provide a safe space for people to make friends, try new activities and discuss issues that are important to them. We help people to take up sport, learn how to buy and cook healthy food, and use public transport with confidence so they can get out and explore their community.

Without the right level of support, there is a greater chance of people with a learning disability being forced back towards living institutionalised, dependent and unfulfilling lives. They may lose the freedom to do the activities they enjoy, listen to the music they prefer, even choose what to wear or when to eat. Removing anyone’s independence, and therefore freedom, can lead to depression, loneliness and isolation.

Project Owner: The Camden Society The Project Owner takes legal responsibility for receiving and spending the funds raised and ensuring the project is delivered.