Level is an arts centre and charity located in a unique accessible building at Rowsley. The charity works with learning disabled people, autistic and/or neurodivergent young people and the wider community. They present digital interactive experiences, host exhibitions, support professional disabled artists, run an outreach programme with day centres and offer courses and classes for parents and carers to support their wellbeing.
A £12k Community Resilience Grant from Derbyshire Dales District Council supported the charity in creating a sensory garden and bio-diverse garden for people with learning difficulties. The funding contributed towards clearing the area, levelling the land with concrete, bordering the space with a fence boundary, installing a gate for disabled access and benches and planters.
Participants now have an external space to unwind, relax, enjoy and feel safe. The space can be enjoyed by visitors, staff, SEN schools, Rowsley residents, participants and visitors to the Old Station Close industrial estate amongst others.
Kerry Andrews (Executive and Artistic Director) says:
The funding from UKSPF awarded by Derbyshire Dales District Council has enabled us to lay the foundations to build and develop a community garden supporting biodiversity, and a sensory space for LEVEL and the wider community. Without this investment we would not have been able to undertake this project. We have lots of exciting initiatives planned including outdoor workshops, gardening activities and artistic commissions. Our new volunteer programme is about to begin, which will become a robust and enjoyable scheme for the whole community to be part of.
