New Faces and Challenges at Flower Pod.

Just six months ago, I was happily going about my business as a volunteer for Southwell Cricket Club when I met Anna Joyce as part of organising our annual event to raise money for local charities. As many people already know, Anna is heavily involved with Flower Pod, Southwell and REACH, both of which provide support to adults with learning disabilities.

After visiting Flower Pod in June, I immediately signed up as a volunteer, joining a forty strong team who help maintain the 1.5 acres of land that has been given over to grow and sell flowers to raise money for REACH. The facility also provides a wonderful environment for adults with learning disabilities where they participate in the project alongside volunteers whilst developing their skills and confidence.

Having been enticed by the magic of Flower Pod, I have now committed to helping the social enterprise expand its’ commercial activities in order to become financially self-sustainable and hopefully generate profits to support the main charity, REACH.

The beautiful, self-styled, flower arrangements are available throughout the year, using home-grown stems whenever possible, made to order at Flower Pod. This Christmas you can really support REACH through the purchase of handmade wreaths which are on display at Flower Pod and The Theatre Deli, Southwell. We also supply flowers to local businesses, events and individuals or for special occasions.

The challenges ahead are immense and very exciting. Ellie Leivers (pictured with Mike) has also just joined the team to take on day to day responsibility for the flowers and confetti activities. We will also continue to rely on the incredible help provided by our wonderful volunteers and hope the Nottinghamshire community will support Flower Pod on the journey ahead by visiting the facility and becoming regular customers.

If you are interested in visiting, buying flowers or ordering a wreath, please contact us by emailing flowerpod@reachuk.org, or calling 01636 918271 or 07970 649091. Follow us on social media and www.flowerpod.org

Mike Fryer, Commercial Manager, Flower Pod.

Double Donation Campaign
Reach held its annual Double Donation campaign at the start of this month and raised over £22,200 in just three days. During the campaign any money donated to the charity was doubled by some very generous pledgers. “We had to work hard to match this and we received lots of support from the local community” explained Sarah Cobb; Reach’s fundraising officer.

NTU Brackenhurst raised over £700 towards the campaign by hosting a chocolate raffle, onesie day, craft workshop, bake off and a 5K walk/jog run. Reach Newark held a superheroes day and Reach Mansfield held a hugely successful auction. Over £1,500 was also donated from a party held by a very kind supporter. Along with these fantastic events generous local people and businesses donated and many people on Facebook donated via the Just Giving text campaign.

Reach would like to say a huge thank you to those who made pledges as well as everyone who donated. Without the donations, the services Reach offer would not be possible. This campaign money will enable us to reach more people with learning disabilities in Nottinghamshire.

Merry Christmas!