Earth Project relaunched

The gardening project, which offers classes for children, adults, and people with learning disabilities, will be run by the Shaw Trust. The Shaw Trust works with disabled and socially and economically disadvantaged people and currently runs over 100 programmes across the country.

The charity plans to provide a programme of training and employment related opportunities, including:

• Accredited training courses including horticulture, conservation, recycling and animal care
• Activities designed to teach clients about the relationship between physical activity, mental health and healthy eating
• An increased number of horticulture related placements available to the most disadvantaged Harrow residents
• Accessibility for people with reduced mobility
• Work with local special needs schools
• Relationships with local voluntary and community groups

The Earth Project, opposite Newton Park East Allotments, was launched by Harrow Council in 2007. It was staffed and managed by a third party which ran horticulture courses from the site, but it closed in July as it found running the courses no longer viable.  

Since then the council has been working to find an appropriate organisation to take over the running of this valuable community resource.  

The Shaw Trust has been offered a five year lease on the main building and a yearly allotment tenancy of the land, which is part of the Newton Park East allotment site.  

Portfolio holder for property and major contracts at Harrow Council, Cllr Thaya Idaikkadar, said: "This is excellent news. The council has worked hard to find a suitable group to take over this superb community facility and the Shaw Trust's plans sound exactly what we were hoping for.  

"As ward councillor I am keen to explore how local businesses can get involved and I hope as many residents as possible will benefit from the new Earth Project as possible." 

Sheila Clements, of The Shaw Trust, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity by Harrow Council. We can't wait to move in and we're excited about building on the success of the Earth Project.  

"It's a really valuable local resource and we're looking forward to becoming a key part of the local community." 

Anyone interested in getting involved with the project should contact Sheila Clements, Project Manager, Shaw Trust, Clamp Hill, Stanmore HA7 3JS, telephone number 0208 954 4287, e-mail sheila.clements@shaw-trust.org.uk.