The Lighthouse in Leighton Buzzard is a safe place for the community to come together. One of the dedicated volunteers at the Lighthouse, Rosemary Eggleton, played a pivotal role in setting up of The Lighthouse and took the time to reflect on her involvement. Her journey began as a Public Governor for ELFT. She then went onto work on the establishment of the Lighthouse, a haven for individuals in the Central Bedfordshire community that provides solace, support, and friendship within its walls. The Lighthouse has been a lifeline for many, providing them with hope and a renewed sense of purpose.
Rosemary said 'My biggest dream is that people come and have coffee with us every now and then and offer time and expertise in any capacity you like. My idea is to create a large community family, in order to support those who don’t have a kind and loving support network anywhere else. It’s a place where people miss us if we’re not there!'
Jane Kelly the Clinical Lead of the Service who worked closely with the volunteers from the local community highlighted the reason why The Lighthouse was developed; 'Lighthouses symbolise the way forward and help in navigating our way through rough waters whether the waters are financial, personal, business or spiritual in nature. Nothing speaks of safety and security in the face of adversity and challenges quite like the lighthouse does.'
The gardening project is one of the initiatives that our visitors can be involved in and has been instrumental in beautifying the Lighthouse surroundings. While the project experiences natural ebb and flow as people come and go, the dedicated gardening team continues to tend to the gardens, ensuring a vibrant and welcoming outdoor space. Their self-sufficiency is a testament to their commitment.
Naomi who has been involved in the gardening project from the beginning states: “The Lighthouse garden is a little bit of solace. It’s a place where I feel contacted to both nature and at times people. I watch people talk and come together. I watch my peers either sitting talking over a cuppa or at times I see others just sitting alone thinking and enjoying the sunshine. In the garden I can be sitting in glorious sunshine or pouring down with rain and I’m at peace, I’m at one with nature. It’s saved my life at times. In the garden I belong.”
Darren who also works in the garden states – “I love working in the garden especially in the fruit and vegetable area – it gets me outdoors – I really enjoy the work – it helps with my Mental Health – I can relax and it reduces my stress. I have a real sense of achievement and such a positive wellbeing especially when everything starts to grow – I love seeing other people’s faces when we achieve.”
Adam Toll, Sustainability and Net Zero Lead said 'As part of our commitment to carbon reduction, horticultural therapy and to improving our green spaces for all who access them, this Whichellos Wharf project is an exemplar of what can be achieved with passion and dedication.'
ELFT celebrates the Lighthouse gardening project as a shining example of our commitment to sustainability and community building. By nurturing green spaces and fostering a sense of belonging, ELFT is dedicated to creating environments where individuals can truly flourish. We invite all to explore opportunities to engage with the Lighthouse project and experience first-hand the transformative power of gardening and community.
We are requesting for unused seeds to help us develop the gardening project. Please send any unused seeds to Darren at the Lighthouse.