Heroes of Hertfordshire recognises Berkhamsted charity for helping others during pandemic

Heroes of Hertfordshire is a joint initiative between the High Sheriff and the Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire
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A charity in Berkhamsted that supports people across Dacorum has been recognised for the work it has done during the coronavirus pandemic.

The charity was recently recognised by the Heroes of Hertfordshire for the work it has done over the last few months.

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Sunnyside Rural Trust was founded in 1990 as a small, horticultural project for young people and adults with learning disabilities, and it is now a thriving charity and social enterprise, offering training and work experience for over 130 vulnerable people in the local community.

Sunnyside Rural Trust working with South Hill Centre Hemel Hempstead,to deliver vital food bank parcelsSunnyside Rural Trust working with South Hill Centre Hemel Hempstead,to deliver vital food bank parcels
Sunnyside Rural Trust working with South Hill Centre Hemel Hempstead,to deliver vital food bank parcels

Heroes of Hertfordshire is a joint initiative between the High Sheriff and the Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "It is fantastic that Sunnyside Rural Trust has received this award and been recognised for the work they have done over the last few months.

"The award goes to the whole team, trainees and volunteers who have gone the extra mile in these challenging times."

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Sunnyside Rural Trust has three sites across Dacorum - Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Northchurch - which offer training and employment services to young people and adults with learning disabilities, to build their self-esteem and skills.

Trainee activity packs - Grow your own set with seeds, compost and pots to grow in and an Art kitTrainee activity packs - Grow your own set with seeds, compost and pots to grow in and an Art kit
Trainee activity packs - Grow your own set with seeds, compost and pots to grow in and an Art kit

In all of these activities, there is a strong focus on sustainability and care for the environment.

During the pandemic, Sunnyside has remained open offering vital services to their vulnerable Service Users and families, looking at what resources they have that can help in the wider community.

This help has included valuable respite for parents and carers, outreach support to people’s homes and ensuring service users have understanding about how to stay safe.

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Sunnyside CEO, Keely Siddiqui-Charlick said: "We couldn’t have achieved this without the inspirational team work of everyone involved.

Northchurch Farmshop went outside to allow social distancingNorthchurch Farmshop went outside to allow social distancing
Northchurch Farmshop went outside to allow social distancing

"I’m very proud to be part of an organisation that considers what it can do for its’ entire community in such challenging times.”

Alongside their normal activities, Sunnyside have been working with South Hill Centre, Hemel Hempstead and DENS, to deliver vital food bank parcels.

If you know someone who is in need of help from the food bank then do get in touch with the centre on 01442 234 728 as this vital work continues. Working with the Intensive Family Support Team, Sunnyside has so far delivered over 300 activity kits to vulnerable children in Dacorum.

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This was made possible by a generous grant from Hertfordshire Community Foundation.

Sunnyside has two farm shops, one at Hemel Food Garden - open Monday to Saturday from 10am till 3pm, and the other next to the upper allotments in Northchurch, open Monday to Friday, from 10am till 3pm, - which they were able to adapt and keep open for locals who were looking for eggs from their happy, rescued hens, home grown veg, local flour, oil and essential items.

The Hemel farm shop is now available for takeaway hot food and drink.

Sunnyside also set about sourcing items to put together activity packs for their trainees, recognising that these would help in the lockdown.

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These included a ‘Grow your own’ set with seeds, compost and pots to grow in and an ‘Art kit’ based on an environmental and nature theme.

The charity has worked with Age UK and other local groups to make sure they get to as many people who need them as possible.

The generous donations from local businesses such as Woods Garden Centre and Epson made the resources go even further.

Sunnyside have also continued to fulfil their annual contract with Dacorum Borough Council to grow the bedding plants for around the Borough.

For more information about the charity, visit: www.sunnysideruraltrust.org.uk.