The Lantern Community ~ Development & Fundraising

Development and Fundraising

Introduction

The Lantern Community is constantly in a process of development and change, primarily in response to the vision, needs and expectations of a wide range of people and organisations, including Companions, Co-Workers, Parents, Trustees and Council Members, Social Services and funding bodies.

To strive to meet these needs from a financial perspective is a constant challenge on our resources, and we rely heavily on financial support, given in a variety of ways, to help achieve our aims.

If you would like to contribute to the continuing work of the Lantern Community there are various options available:

A single Donation
A regular gift by direct debit

These options are particularly helpful in regard to the arrangement that can be made for Gift Aid, currently 28% of the contribution, by UK taxpayers.

Leaving a gift in your will

If you would like further information, guidance or discussion on either fundraising or projects, we would be happy to hear from you. Companions and Co-Workers of the Lantern Community greatly appreciate your interest and support.

We are in a continual process of upgrading our houses in the Lantern Community and developing new resources to meet changing needs.

Our current major projects are:-

Plan & Models

Model view 1 Model view 2 Model view 3 Model view 4 Model view 5 Model view 6 Model view 7 Plan view 1 Plan view 2 Plan view 3 Plan view 4

The Oakwood Craft Centre

This development comprises new facilities to include

A Pottery
A Weavery
Woodwork Shop
An extension to our Art Studio
A Social Centre
A Re-cycling Centre

Some of theses facilities are new, and some replace existing facilities that have become inadequate due to demand and shortage of space. This major development will bring many new opportunities to the Lantern Community as a whole, and will allow the possibility to offer more independent housing, with the conversion of our existing Pottery and Weavery. By creating more working space we will be able to offer more facilities to people with a learning disability from the wider community who would like to join us on a daily basis to gain work experience or training, and structure our own work on a more productive basis. The social centre will create a much needed venue for a wide variety of community events for everybody.

Although planning is at an early stage, we are at the point where an initial scheme drawing and model have been produced. As this is such a major development for the Lantern Community to undertake, with initial costings of approximately £750,000, it may prove necessary to phase the building work to keep in step with available capital.

'Lantern Fields' Eco-Garden and Nursery

The fields adjacent to our Nursery are being developed to a defined landscaping plan to include ponds, waterfalls, tree planting and pathways. We feel it important to create, support and maintain an environment that is in balance and also has an aesthetic and healing potential. In combination with the Nursery, the garden will offer a peaceful setting both for visitors and the Community to enjoy.

All of the work required to develop the garden is being carried out by our own committed and experienced Land group and gardener, and the expected cost of the project will be in the region of £25,000.

'Old Stables' Conversion

The stables will provide, once upgraded, the very much needed facilities of an office, sales area and staff room for the Nursery. There is no available provision to meet these needs at the moment, and although a relatively small conversion, will greatly enhance the aims of the Nursery and its team.