SSAFA Devon and the Gordon Messenger Centre take on unique and impactful new project

09 April 2024

SSAFA Devon Branch and the flagship Gordon Messenger Centre (GMC), located at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Lympstone, would like to invite you to be one of a maximum of 250 participants to take part in a unique and impactful project building the June Best Community Garden, 'by Veterans for Veterans’.

The GMC is dedicated to enhancing the wellbeing of our Armed Forces personnel and Veterans, and their families. The project is the first of its kind in the UK with the purpose of providing a tranquil and therapeutic space fostering relaxation, connection, and healing for our military and former military community.

Community and camaraderie are at the heart of the project. A committee of Veterans is already in place to advise on the design and other logistics. You can expect the project to be an extremely fulfilling and rewarding experience, during which you will learn new skills and make new friends.

The construction will predominantly involve timber and will take place in July; Project days will be 17th – 20th and 23rd – 25th July (inclusive) The garden will be formally opened on the Corps’ Families Day in September.

SSAFA Devon Branch is sponsoring the build of the project, made possible by a generous legacy gift by former SSAFA Devon member, June Best, in 2022.

The garden is being designed and delivered by international community development company, Splash Projects (Veteran based) which is based in Exmouth and whose expert team will facilitate the build.

Veterans of any age or ability are invited to be part of the experience. There will be a range of ways to help on the day from woodwork to planting, and no prior experience is required.

Everyone who takes part will be integral to creating a legacy for Veterans, families, and the serving forces community. It will be a multi-functional, wheelchair accessible space involving sensory elements, including a fire area and a water feature, a growing garden, and plenty of seating.

We are expecting to be oversubscribed for the project. The invite will initially be for the military community, including families and friends of Veterans and other interested parties.

Volunteers can register their interest here, including what days they are available. Volunteers can register for more than 1 day and when we have the known interest then contact will be made a month prior to the project date suggesting what day they have been selected for.

Find out more about the project here. Enquiries should be directed to the email on the poster and will be replied to within 7 days; any changes in availability please reply again through the main email issued.

This is the first time SSAFA have taken on this big adventure; SSAFA Devon have taken this leap of faith that Devon can deliver, success will only be delivered if we can drum up the volunteers, good luck.