A leading housebuilder has provided a vital cash injection to a mental health charity, helping to create a new community hub where people can connect and cook together.
Funding for Wellbeing and Connection
Redrow Midlands has donated £1,930 from its community fund to Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind. The grant is part of a £5,000 pot designed to help local organisations thrive. The charity will use the money to buy a new pizza oven as part of a major project to revamp an underused section of the Sherbourne Valley Allotments in Coventry.
The broader plan is to develop a sensory garden space focused on bringing people together through shared activities like cooking and eating. This ecotherapy initiative is scheduled to open in January 2026.
Building Community Through Shared Meals
Denise Lindsay, project support manager at the Mind charity, expressed profound gratitude for the builder's support. She explained that outdoor, food-based activities are a cornerstone of good mental health, helping individuals build confidence and combat isolation.
"The new pizza oven is a fantastic addition," said Lindsay. "It means we can cook and eat together using produce grown on the allotment, creating simple, meaningful moments that support wellbeing."
The space will offer more than just gardening. Visitors can engage in a variety of therapeutic activities, including:
- Planting and harvesting produce
- Woodwork and craft sessions
- Shared cooking and communal meals
Investing in Thriving Local Communities
Elaine Cartwright, sales director for Redrow Midlands, emphasised the company's commitment to investing in local groups. Redrow is currently building homes at its Arden Fields development on Bedworth Road.
"We recognise the value that gathering with others can provide for community wellbeing," Cartwright stated. "We are proud to support this charity and enable them to continue in their dedicated efforts to help those who need help with their mental health."
The donation underscores how corporate community funds can directly enhance local mental health services, creating lasting spaces for support and social connection in the heart of Coventry.
