Myakka staff have been out to experience two local community projects that the Somerset Community Foundation have supported in the Wincanton area. On Tuesday 16^th February representatives of the Somerset Community Foundation, the Growing Space Project and Penselwood Community Allotment Scheme met the team from Myakka at The Balsam Centre in Wincanton.

The Growing Space is a small community garden situated on land adjacent to The Balsam Centre in Wincanton.  Within this vital community resource, there are spaces for quiet contemplation, socialising, playing and food production.  Activities include advice and guidance for new gardeners, training for individuals and organizations along with therapeutic programmes for those experiencing anxiety, emotional difficulties and for those with disabilities.  Local schools and pre-schools also receive support for the school curriculum and opportunities for work experience.  Funding from Somerset Community Foundation recently enabled the group to go ahead with a project to build a large greenhouse for the site.

The Penselwood Community Allotment Scheme was established for the local community in this more remote South Somerset village.  Penselwood is not on a bus route and the nearest supermarket is four miles away in Wincanton.  The aim was to create a successful productive allotment producing fresh, affordable food for the community and the grant from Somerset Community Foundation enabled the group to install a water supply to 11 allotment patches.

The Somerset Community Foundation is the only charity in Somerset to be supported by the Government’s Grassroots Scheme.  This scheme means the government will match donations with a 100% top-up.  The charity aims to build stronger communities by encouraging a culture of local giving to enable local community organisations to thrive.  Select this link for further details on the Somerset Community Foundation: www.somersetcf.org.uk.

Myakka, the national furniture and homewares retailer based in Wincanton, joined the Somerset Community Foundation as a Patron last summer as part of their campaign to bring Fair Trade home.  The company are part way through creating a £25,000 Myakka Grassroots endowment fund which once complete, will be used directly to benefit local community projects similar to those visited on Tuesday.  

“Myakka have not just committed financial support as a patron they have shown a genuine interest in the work we do with their local community,” commented Julie Patterson from Somerset Community Foundation. 

Myakka have always supported their suppliers and their local communities in northern India following the principles of fair trade.  This February, they have again donated a proportion of their profits to SKSN School as well as developing further community projects to help empower older children with the ability to support themselves and their families.  “We work closely with our suppliers in India and commit to help the community around them.  We feel it’s just as important to extend that support to the local community around our business here in South Somerset,” commented Simon Whitehead, director of Myakka.

Myakka’s new catalogue comes out at the beginning of March with many new exciting lines extending their range of exclusive Indian furniture. 

Myakka is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Tags: community

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