Greener Growth group calls for help as it expands enough to need its own workshop

A Bury St Edmunds-based community interest company is calling for help after it saw demand for its services soar during lockdown.

Greener Growth, which facilitates education, conservation and therapeutic horticulture projects in prisons, schools and neighbourhoods, has seen areas of its work increase as organisations have recognised the benefits of nature and the outdoors during this time.

Now, Greener Growth needs workshop and office space, but cannot afford to pay commercial rents.

The organisation is appealing for any businesses with spare capacity to share space to get in touch.

It is looking for a 1,000-1,500sqft workshop, ideally with an office, kitchen and toilet in or within a five-mile radius of Bury.

Jo Metcalfe, Greener Growth founder and director, said they would not need to use the workshop on a daily basis, with it mainly being used for storage of wood to create nature boxes for birds, bats and owls.

“Despite current circumstances we are still busy and still growing,” said Jo.

“We have seen an increase in demand from schools, which are realising that delivering education outside is even more important now. There is a great demand for what we do.

“We’ve grown to the point we need a proper workshop now. Is there anyone out there who could help us? In the current situation I thought there might be other organisations that don’t need as much space and could share with us.”

While any unit would ideally have an office, Greener Growth would also consider workshops without.

“We have been looking at some of the commercial spaces but we can’t afford them. It has taken a long time to get where we are now and we can’t take on a huge rent,” said Jo.

“If we are able to share space we can make a contribution, but probably about 30 to 50 per cent of what the commercial rates are. We are willing to look at anything, as long as it is in or around Bury.”

Any unit willing to share with the organisation would also be treated to a ‘Greener Growth makeover’ of the outside space as a thank you.

If you could help, contact Jo at info@greenergrowth.co.uk or call 01284 830032.