Refuge residents launch ‘Secret Garden’ project

Westlea’s women’s refuges have launched a social enterprise project, managed by current and previous residents.

The project aims to give people who have experienced domestic abuse a chance to regain confidence and selfesteem, make new friends, support each other, and also to learn new skills. ‘The Secret Garden’ grows organic herbs and sells them in containers. They have an established sales outlet at Daisy Chain florists in Corsham and have attended two local community events since May 2010 – Art in the Park, Chippenham and Help for Heroes, Atworth. The group hopes to be selling wild flowers by next year.

The project also runs arts and crafts activities where residents make bags, soap, jewellery, cards, and memory boxes. And a further new venture is the restoration of small furniture items either for sale or for residents’ personal use. All profits from the project are put towards supporting the women and children and for further training and work experience within the local community.

If you would like more information and to get involved, please email: secretgarden2010@live.co.uk