The Hive in Shrewsbury gets boost from homebuilder Bellway

Staff from the company, which is building homes at Darwin’s Edge in Shrewsbury, went along to the charity’s premises in Belmont on Friday 8 November, to help with sprucing up the courtyard garden there and helping create craft packs to sell to raise money.

Bellway also donated £500 towards running costs for the organisation, which hosts a range of creative activities and workshops at its town centre base as well as being a venue for community groups and entertainment. The charity also runs arts and creativity-based wellbeing projects around Shropshire with the aim of supporting vulnerable children, young people and young adults.

The Hive’s Venue Manager Ellen Green said: “£500 is a very generous donation, and we are incredibly grateful for Bellway’s support in these challenging times.

“The team rolling their sleeves up and getting stuck into the garden alongside putting together craft packs that we can sell to raise more money makes a huge difference. Time is limited and our small staff team is pulled in many directions, so this will help to alleviate some pressure on us all, keeping our spirits up to continue ‘Saving The Hive’.”

In July the charity launched its Save The Hive fundraising campaign with the aim of raising £50,000 to ensure its future, as it faces mounting pressures on budgets from higher running costs and the challenges of accessing grant funding.

The charity especially focuses on those facing challenges such as young carers, looked-after children, those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, as well as refugees, LGBTQIA+ communities, rurally isolated people, those with mental health challenges, neurodiverse people and those living in poverty.

It aims to help them feel positive, confident and comfortable in being who they are as well as valuing working with others and building their own resilience.

Bellway West Midlands Sales Manager Rachel Marner, Sales Advisor Susan Terry-Smith and Assistant Site Manager Anthony Walker went along to The Hive, and spent time weeding, pruning and tidying the garden there. They also assembled craft packs full of art supplies, which The Hive sells as part of its Save The Hive fundraising campaign.

Rachel said: “We enjoyed volunteering at The Hive, which is an incredibly worthwhile organisation and a true hub of the community.

“The Hive helps young people develop resilience and confidence, and to be who they are, so it makes an important and positive difference to people’s lives all around Shropshire.

“It’s great to see behind the scenes and learn about all the hard work that allows it to run and give so much that’s worthwhile to the area.”

To support the Save The Hive campaign, visit justgiving.com/thehivehmmartsltd to find out more about the charity, go to hiveonline.org.uk.