Group on the brink of becoming homeless creates community garden at Calder House

The green-fingered group lives at Calder House in Mirfield, which takes in people who would otherwise end up sleeping rough.

Over the last few months, they have begun transforming a patch of overgrown land into an ‘urban oasis’ in Newgate.

Colin Moorhouse is one of the people who has taken part in the work. He said: “I have really enjoyed working on this project.

“It has been very rewarding to work with a group of people to clear the land and get it ready for the next phase of its transformation.

“We hope that by the summer we will have a community garden which people will be able to come into and enjoy.”

Calder House is run by Stonham, the care and support division of social housing provider Home Group.

Residents are not taken in off the street, but are people who find themselves on the brink of homelessness when previous accommodation falls through unexpectedly.

Stonham clients from across West Yorkshire have been working on the garden through the charity’s Inspire Programme.

Those taking part in the project, which was organised through the Mirfield Community Partnership, have also been able to gain qualifications.