ActivLives is celebrating after receiving £20,000 to fund a project, Bee Amazed, to enable people of all abilities to get involved in helping bees thrive, as well as taking an active part in conserving the local environment, thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
The project launches in the New Year with a beekeeping course and a fact-finding visit to a Bee Discovery Centre.
The funding boost from Postcode Local Trust will enable ActivLives People’s Community Garden to provide opportunities for a diverse range of groups,
including local families, young people, older people, and people with disabilities, to develop skills and build confidence to volunteer.
From April, there will be weekly hands-on learning sessions every Monday afternoon 1.30-3.30pm at our community apiary, where there will be a chance to learn by assisting our experienced team in handling the bees and carrying out essential tasks.
Organisations who support people with needs will have the chance to book a bespoke visit, while schools are encouraged to bring classes to learn hands-on.
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As part of the project, we are encouraging new volunteers to help us develop an Outdoor Classroom and wildflower meadow, as well as a ‘Bee Amazed’ learning hive for humans, with information on the life-cycle of bees.
ActivGardens Development Manager Susannah Robirosa said: “We would like to thank players of the People’s Postcode Lottery for helping us to help bees – vital for a healthy environment and the maintenance of our own food chain – as well as provide opportunities for local people to get involved. Please come and visit us and join in!”
Postcode Local Trust exists to fund community groups and charitable organisations through a variety of grant giving programmes. To do so, the Trust relies solely on funding from the proceeds of tickets sales from People’s Postcode Lottery. When you sign up to play People’s Postcode Lottery, your postcode is your ticket. It costs £10 for 10 draws paid monthly in advance with prizes every day. A minimum of 27.5% goes directly to charities across Great Britain and internationally.
- To book your place on the Bee-keeping course: Mondays 22 & 29 Jan; 5, 19 & 26 Feb 2018 at 1.30-3.30pm; or to join us on our educational visit to BuzzWorks Bee Discovery Centre, Hitchin, Hertfordshire on Thursday 22 February, please call ActivLives on 01473 345 350, or contact Project Co-ordinator Danny Thorrington on 07532 794173 or danny@activlives.org.uk
- There are also opportunities for you to Sponsor a Hive or donate to our Bee Amazed project. For more information contact: Development Manager Susannah Robirosa 01473 345350 Mobile 07530 407302 susannah@activlives.org.uk or visit www.activlives.org.uk/activgardens
Details of course
Beekeeping: Inspiring the next generation! – an introductory course led by Betsy Reid of Ipswich and East Suffolk Beekeepers’ Association
Mondays 22 & 29 Jan; 5, 19 & 26 Feb 2018 1.30-3.30pm
at the People’s Community Garden and CRESS Pavilion, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE
The course will cover:
- The relevance and importance of bee-keeping
- How a bee colony lives and works
- Different kinds of hive and how they work
- The beekeeping year
- Queens and drones
- Swarming
- Pests and diseases
- Honey and hive products
- Plants and forage
Call ActivLives on 01473 345350 to book your place.
Suggested donation: £5 per session; free to regular volunteers and unwaged