09/07/2026
Did you know that Growing Lives - the project run by homelessness organisation Derventio Housing Trust - is holding an open day on July 15?
Growing Lives is a day centre based in Ilkeston which does brilliant work helping people who have experienced homelessness along with others referred through drug and alcohol recovery services.
Participants come every day for a range of things: gardening, bike repair, crafts, walks, food and company. It's a great place to heal from past trauma, gain confidence and move forward.
This is the first time in quite a few years that Growing Lives has had an open day.
Open from 11am to 3pm on July 15, visitors will be able to plant sunflowers to take home; take part in collage making as well as other arts and crafts, and watch demonstrations in the Growing Lives workshop and bike shop where residents and others who use the service get involved in repairing and ‘upcycling’ bikes using donated parts.
You can also meet Growing Lives’ resident guinea pigs – Gizmo and Stripe – and enjoy food and drinks prepared by staff and participants including home-made cakes and quiches, plus afternoon cream tea and scones.
One resident, Leo Webberley, 20, has got so much out of Growing Lives after discovering a love of gardening, cooking and growing his own.
Come along and meet Leo, enjoy some lovely food, and see what great work this organisation is doing.
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