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Having adjusted to its new premises, Grow is now looking to expand the vocational training opportunities it provides this year.
In 2024 it celebrated 40 years of existence having just moved into purpose built premises that are designed to last for that amount of time again and beyond.
Here, the charity tells Express about its highlights for 2024 and what is to come this year:
Pictured: Crew member Alex Houchard with Cafe Ambassador James Ferguson.
Celebrating our 40th anniversary in our brand new facilities which are designed and built for the next 40 years and beyond.
During 2024 we have opened the training cafe and now welcome both regular customers and new friends for a coffee or lunch, all prepared and served on site by our Crew who daily are gaining confidence and self esteem as well as kitchen and front of house skills. The Crafty Frog, our new shop opened in November providing another valued occupational experience for Crew.
Pictured: Crew members Heather Brown and Sara Charman with FOGs shop lead Vanda Swann.
We have welcomed 16 new Crew members during the year and four have left Grow to take up employment. The community hub is buzzing with co-locators all with links to the charitable sector.
We won two awards! The training cafe won the Pride of Guernsey 'Diversity and Inclusion Award'. We also won the Veyoan 'Entrepreneur for Good' Award.
And FROLLO the friendly frog came to life. Created by Crew member Abi Lawlor Frollo can be seen wandering round the vinery at our events making friends!
Pictured: Abi Lawlor with Frollo and his colouring books.
We returned to our Grow site in the autumn of 2023 so adjusting to our new facilities provided some challenges. The whole team worked together to make sure the Crew adjusted to their new environment and felt confident learning in the modern spaces we now occupy. New training pathways were introduced for hospitality, woodworking and retail which are creating new opportunities for the Crew to progress.
Our annual operating costs are £750,000. One third is government funded. A further third is provided through plants sales and maintenance contracts, the training cafe, The Crafty Frog (our retail outlet), and room rental and hire. However the balance must come from sponsorships, donations, corporate support, legacies and events organised by Friends of Grow (IFrOGs), our fundraising arm.
Always a challenge, it is becoming increasingly difficult to raise funds, competing with many other worthy causes.
Pictured: Crew member William Banfield with supervisor Tom Rowe
Build on stability for the team and Crew as we embark on our second year in 'new' Grow by expanding the vocational training opportunities we provide for the Crew. Training and mentoring in a wider range of occupational skills will prepare them for employment in a variety of commercial sectors.
We aim to build on the charity support and collaboration which is establishing in our Community Hub, sharing workshops and training on site and benefitting from more effective use of skills and experience.
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