ARK at Egwood CIC is a not-for-profit intergenerational land-based therapeutic day service provision, using horticulture (growing vegetables, fruits and flowers), animals, nature, cooking and rural arts and crafts to improve the health and wellbeing of people of all ages and varying needs. In short, a safe outdoor space where people come, slow things down, connect with themselves and then connect with others.
ARK also provides a fortnightly lunch club in the local village hall where people attending ARK for support, coupled with produce they have grown at ARK cook a two-course lunch for up to 40 local vulnerable people. In addition to this ARK hosts a fortnightly health walk around the local area, to give people the chance to get out into the fresh air and socially connect with others. A large portion of the referrals ARK receives is for people with mental ill health, who do not have any funding attached or the means to pay for support. Due to this ARK continually looks for extra funding, to provide these free places, where we also provide lunch and refreshments. Also due to this, ARK has no waiting list, which negates the need for people, desperate for help to have to wait, so we can help catch people at the earliest possible opportunity. The safe space at ARK, friendly nature of the team, volunteers and all attendees really does make a difference to those in need and winning this award will go a long way in helping many more people in the future.
