Support Projects
Find out what we offer to support our community and you!
We are always looking for sponsors for our projects, so if you'd like to get involved please pop in or call 07518851184
At The Makery, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive community through our creative programs and resources. Your generosity is instrumental in helping us continue our mission and reach even more people in our community. No amount is too small, and every donation goes towards making a difference in the lives of those around us. Please consider a donation to help us keep making this difference.
Working in partnership with...
The Guardians Grow Charity Projects
Check out what we're running and what we have done previously. Please don't hesitate to get involved!
The ROBIN Project
The ROBIN project, draws its name from the bird, which is often seen as a symbol of hope and comfort during difficult times. Robins are believed to appear in moments of hardship, offering a sense of presence and reassurance. This symbolism is central to the project, as it aims to provide hope and support to those in need.
The ROBIN project is a crucial initiative aimed at breaking isolation and loneliness, raising awareness about suicide and self-harm, and providing a platform for meaningful conversations. With £14,000 funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, the project has introduced two "listening benches" located in the Abbey Gate Shopping Centre. These benches serve as safe spaces where anyone feeling isolated or struggling can come and talk to a compassionate volunteer. Stickers with a picture of a robin and the word "hope" are given to the community to place in areas where they feel someone might need that moment of seeing a robin, offering comfort during difficult times. This initiative not only provides direct support but also actively involves the community in sharing the message of hope.
The ROBIN project also provides thorough training for our volunteers on mental health and how to offer empathetic support. These volunteers can provide a listening ear, connect individuals with specialised services, and offer essential support to those in need. As a vital community-focused initiative, the ROBIN project is dedicated to fostering connections, supporting mental well-being, and making a significant difference in the lives of individuals by showing that someone cares.
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The Bleeding Hearts Project
The Bleeding Hearts Project is dedicated to raising funds for emergency bleed packs and defibrillators, essential tools for addressing catastrophic bleeds and cardiac emergencies. By providing these life-saving resources to organisations within the community, the project addresses the critical shortage of emergency equipment. Recognising the impact of knife crime, the Bleeding Hearts Project also raises awareness about this pressing issue, involving the community in proactive measures to combat violence. Through its efforts, the project aims to be a voice of change, advocating for safer communities and fostering a collective responsibility towards emergency preparedness and crime prevention.
If you would like to make a donation towards this project please-use our donation button.
The Knife Crime Awareness Project
The Knife Crime Awareness Project is a new initiative focused on raising awareness about the dangers of carrying knives and the impact of knife crime.
As a voice of change, the project actively involves the community by engaging with schools, colleges, organisations, and individuals. A notable component of this initiative is a competition inviting the community to design a logo that promotes a message of saying no to knife crime.
The three winning designs will be printed onto t-shirts, mugs and badges, which will be sold in our store, with proceeds funding further knife crime awareness projects and the provision of bleed kits for catastrophic bleeds.
Through these efforts, the Knife Crime Awareness Project aims to foster a safer community by educating and involving individuals in the fight against knife crime.
The Big Grow 2024!
The Big Grow project saw us deliver thousands of sunflower seeds, pots, and soil to schools, colleges, and nurseries in our community, actively engaging everyone in growing together.
Prizes are awarded for the most unusual, the most wonky, and the one that didn't quite reach its full potential, celebrating the diversity and uniqueness of each sunflower. This initiative emphasises that it's not about being the biggest but about supporting one another and embracing our individual differences. It’s a reminder that it's okay to be quirky, and it's okay to be different. The competition is a fantastic way to engage the community, build relationships, and share connections as everyone shares pictures of their growing sunflowers. With the success of this year's project, we are excited to explore what we will grow in 2025. Watch this space! If you're an organisation interested in participating in our annual Big Grow, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Mindfulness Mondays at The Makery
At the Guardians Grow Charity, we start the week with Mindfulness Mondays in the Makery. Monday mornings begin with Mindfulness Sessions, offering a perfect opportunity to set a positive tone for the rest of the week. Mindfulness is an excellent way to develop skills that help you focus, alleviate anxiety, and reduce stress. Understanding that Mondays can often be the most challenging day for many, our sessions aim to provide a calm and supportive environment to ease into the week ahead.
Participants are given a complimentary 31-day Mindfulness Journal, which is designed and produced by us specifically for these sessions. These journals guide participants through daily mindfulness practices, helping maintain peace and positivity throughout the week.
In partnership with the NHS, CBT therapists join us on the last Monday of every month to offer additional support and be part of this initiative. These sessions are entirely free.
Following the Mindfulness Sessions, there is a poetry lesson provided by Wendy, our lovely poetry teacher. This session focuses on improving mental health and well-being by helping us deal with our feelings through creative expression. Wendy’s poetry lesson is also free, making Mondays at the Makery a comprehensive and accessible experience for everyone.
Additionally, you can visit our well-being sanctuary, Individual Chapters, any day of the week. It offers a safe, calming, and inclusive environment where you can enjoy the aromas of incense and soaps, and the gentle sounds of panpipe music. It’s the ultimate place to visit for a truly calming experience.
Join us at the Makery on Mondays to start your week with calmness and positive energy, and take advantage of our free, supportive sessions.
The Birthday Box Project
Our mission is to grant children in need the opportunity to enjoy a birthday celebration. We will deliver a birthday-in-a-box, complete with, decorations and a gift - so all children, regardless of their families' financial status, have the chance to enjoy their special day.
Every year, as we watch our children's faces light up as they blow out the candles on their birthday cake, we know they will remember that moment forever and look forward to next year with the same anticipation an excitement. Having a birthday celebration, blowing out candles on a cake and opening a gift, seems very routine to many of us, but sadly, there are many children who never experience that joy. The Birthday Box gives struggling families the opportunity to give their child a birthday party that would not otherwise be possible. This program is a great way to teach our children about those less fortunate who live right in their own community.
Would you like to take part in preparing a gift box for a child in need in your community? Please get in contact.
Santas Guardians Project
Every year we collect toys and gifts to give to children on Christmas Day who may otherwise be forgotten, through no fault of their own.
Dec 2021 we gave 186 children lots of wonderful gifts on Christmas Eve.
Nominations must be from recognised agencies or Local Authorities to ensure the gifts get to those who need it most.
Please get in touch if you would like to donate or make a referral.
Our mission is to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in our communities, who are affected by poverty, illness, neglect or have additional needs. We believe all children should be able to express their individuality, achieve their potential and live life to the fullest.
Well in Winter Warm Hub
Our Winter Warm Hub is a sanctuary of comfort and support during the winter months. The hub provides warmth, nourishment, and a gathering place for individuals seeking respite from the cold. It's a place where community members can find solace, share stories, and access resources to stay cozy and connected during the chilly season. Whether it's a steaming cup of hot coffee, a friendly conversation, or access to winter essentials, our Hub symbolizes a haven of care and compassion for all who seek shelter from the winter's chill, breaking isolation and loneliness and improving mental health and well-being.
The Home Safe Project
The Home Safe Project is dedicated to supporting individuals who have lost their sense of safety due to challenging circumstances such as domestic abuse, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and homelessness. Recognizing the urgent need for safety and basic necessities, the Home Safe Project provides essential supplies like clothing, toiletries, and toys for children. Our aim is to react instantly to these needs, offering immediate support without delay. Often, victims of domestic abuse flee with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and we aim to make them feel at home and safe by providing these critical items.
We provide basic essentials to remind individuals that they matter and that no life is worth less than another. These everyday items, such as hairbrushes, sanitary products, towels, and other toiletries, are often taken for granted but are crucial for someone who may not have access to them due to safety or financial reasons. The Home Safe Project is all about providing immediate relief and support to those in need. Whether it be shoes for someone experiencing homelessness, food, blankets, or any other essential items, our mission is to ensure that everyone we help feels valued, important, safe, and supported during their time of crisis.
Work/Life Experience
The Guardians Grow Charity is committed to working within the community, engaging with both residents and workers to foster understanding and support. We offer tailored work experience packages to organisations, schools, colleges, and universities, creating opportunities for individuals to immerse themselves in the community and understand the issues faced by marginalised groups, such as survivors of domestic abuse, violence, human trafficking, patients with dementia, and individuals with neurodiversity.
Our work experience programs are particularly beneficial for young people, including those on the autism spectrum, with ADHD, or facing other learning and behavioral challenges. These programs help young individuals develop confidence and skills in a supportive environment. We also work extensively with neurodiverse and transgender youth, ensuring they have access to work experience opportunities that celebrate their differences and provide a safe space for growth.
Our Community Support Hub and Wellbeing Sanctuary offer a unique setting where participants can engage with a diverse range of individuals, addressing various issues, breaking isolation, and improving mental health and well-being. This immersive approach allows for meaningful interactions and learning experiences, benefiting both the community and those on work experience.
For example, our partnership with Warwickshire University Medical School allows trainee medical students to work directly with marginalised members of our community, experiencing their stories firsthand and developing empathy through lived experiences. This hands-on approach is vital for cultivating understanding and compassion, and working together to change inequalities in health care.
In addition to professional development, our programs emphasise celebrating everyone's differences and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community through various services. This inclusive approach ensures that individuals feel valued and part of the community they live in.
If you are an organisation interested in a tailored work experience package, please feel free to contact us. We are dedicated to creating meaningful and impactful experiences that foster growth and understanding within our community.
