Visitors have been wowed after seeing an old curtain tape factory transformed into a beautiful garden and thriving day centre by homelessness organisation Derventio Housing Trust.
Homeless residents along with drug and alcohol recovery service users and Derventio Housing Trust staff have worked hard to create a stunning garden at the Growing Lives day centre in the old factory building on Grenville Drive.
The highly valued day centre is now home to a bike repair and maintenance workshop, craft room, art studio and kitchen – helping rebuild lives torn apart by drugs, alcohol and homelessness.
Now visitors have been able to see the transformation at Derventio Housing Trust’s flagship project after Derventio Housing Trust held an open day there for the first time since before Covid.
Many visitors said despite being local to the area they were unaware of the vibrant garden and busy workshop in the heart of Cotmanhay.
Erewash deputy mayor and Cotmanhay councillor Linda Burns said: “You wouldn’t believe we were in Cotmanhay, it’s like a little oasis. It’s beautiful. The work they are doing with service users here is just incredible.”
Cllr Josy Hare, representing Awsworth Road ward, said: “I pass this every day going to work and I didn’t know how beautiful it is.
“You wouldn’t think we were in Cotmanhay in here. The work they’ve put in and the funding they have got and continue to get – it’s wonderful for this community.”
Representing the Derbyshire Lieutenancy office, John White DL, said: “Over the years I’ve seen many social not for profit organisations and it’s really a pleasure to see this working. The garden is incredible and the workshop to die for!
“It’s obviously a facility that’s needed. They are doing such good job in satisfying that need.”
Canon Romita Shrisunder from Derby Cathedral said: “I’m overwhelmed by the love, care, passion and commitment to seeing people flourish here, and the way people can enjoy themselves, grow, and have opportunities to develop their skills in the arts, woodwork and gardening.
“Growing Lives is very deceptive from the outside – you don’t realise how big and beautiful it is.”
Derventio Housing Trust provides accommodation to around 1200 people a year in five UK counties who would otherwise be homeless.
Its Growing Lives project is free to attend for residents along with others referred there to help with their drug and alcohol recovery.
Participants come regularly to spend time working in the garden, workshop, arts and crafts rooms and kitchen, as well as receive mentorship and support from Derventio Housing Trust’s dedicated staff.
Many people have said that Growing Lives was a key factor in allowing them to regain confidence and skills, going on to find employment and live independently again.
Some people have even been able to build their own bikes in the workshop, giving them satisfaction and a valuable mode of transport.
Others have spoken highly of finding peace and meaning by working in the garden, creating thriving vegetable patches and getting the satisfaction of cooking with the produce they grow.
Organisations such as Toyota Manufacturing UK Charitable Trust have also benefited the project by awarding funds to pay for new raised vegetable beds.
David Webb, who goes to Growing Lives, told how he was finding his artistic roots once again after being referred there by alcohol treatment services.
He said: “Coming to Growing Lives gives me an objective, something to focus on, somewhere to come five days a week and be part of something. I think it’s undervalued. This open day is putting it on the map.”
Sarah Hernandez, managing director of Derventio Housing Trust, said: “We were delighted that many people from the local community attended our open day at Growing Lives. It’s a highly valued project that’s giving people vital skills to rebuild their lives and see a brighter future. Participants have worked very hard to create a beautiful, flourishing garden that’s really transformed an old factory space into somewhere that’s very valued by a lot of people in Cotmanhay.”
