By Sarah Atherton

MP for Wrexham

Recently, I was delighted to welcome the Levelling Up Secretary, Michael Gove MP, to Erlas Victorian Walled Garden in Wrexham. Erlas aims to promote and protect the health of people with disabilities and support their families by providing meaningful daytime activity, education, and work experience. The charity was one of a large number of UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund recipients in Wrexham and received nearly £500,000. What this means for Wrexham residents, is that Erlas can now deliver community events and provide more opportunities for local people to get involved.

It was the perfect opportunity to hear from the Erlas team and volunteers about the transformative impact of this funding and what they can now offer to the people of Wrexham. This funding has helped transform the gardens, as well as deliver community events, such as the ‘Winter Walk Week’, and training courses supporting adults with disabilities. This money has also enabled Erlas to increase opportunities for local individuals by appointing 5 Garden Support Workers to assist people with additional needs. On top of this, they are running new free Multiply Courses which focus on gaining numeracy skills through nature, such as learning to sow vegetable seeds. Courses can be booked by searching ‘Erlas Victorian Walled Garden’ on Eventbrite.

Having supported Erlas since I was elected in 2019 and secured £50,000 for their sensory-based Jubilee Garden, I am so proud to see how far the charity has developed and the positive impact that it has on our community. The UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, directly allocated from the UK Government to Wrexham Council, has marked a significant turning point for our city, rectifying years of Welsh Labour Government neglect and fosters local pride. As Wrexham’s MP, I have been pushing to break the cycle of funding and this shows the UK Government’s unwavering commitment to our city’s future.

Erlas is creating a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.

Having visited Happy Hedgehog Cafe and Delta Academy on many occasions, I was delighted to nominate Apra Roberts and Dianne Hughes as Wrexham’s Local Community Champions. In case readers are not aware, Apra runs the Happy Hedgehog Café and Dianne manages Delta Dance Academy. On top of this, they play a key role in the Queensway Community Group which won the ‘Spirit of Wrexham Award’ at the 2023 Wrexham Business and Community Awards, which I was proud to attend.

Queensway Community, situated in the heart of Wrexham, is a brilliant example of compassion, dedication, and community spirit. Apra, Dianne, and volunteers offer monthly dementia meals, life skills workshops and even fitness classes tailored for dementia sufferers. As a social worker, who supported people and families with dementia, it is pleasing that the café also holds a Friends of Dementia Lunch, where those with dementia and their loved ones can have lunch, socialise, and support each other.

Queensway Community not only addresses the practical needs of the community, but it is a force that uplifts and empowers. I was delighted to host Apra and Dianne in Parliament for a tour and after this, a reception at Number 10 Downing Street was the perfect opportunity to highlight their contributions to Wrexham.

To find out further details, please visit ‘Queensway Community Group’ on Facebook.

Championing Wrexham in Parliament does not stop here. Having supported the Rossett Food Cupboard from its inception, I was delighted to host Paul and Claire Marshall in Parliament. The Cupboard works with supermarkets to collect goods that would otherwise be wasted. The items range from cereals and to fresh produce.

The Cupboard’s eco-friendly approach is a shining example of what our community has to offer. It is paving the way for reducing food waste whilst supporting individuals in need. It was particularly impressive to learn that even when the Cupboard is unable to take on certain items, they work with local farmers to ensure nothing ends up in landfill. As the demand for the service has outgrown the current site, I have been working with Paul and Claire and Wrexham Council to secure more appropriate premises.

For any residents who would like more information, please search ‘The Food Cupboard for Rossett’ on Facebook. This is Wrexham supporting Wrexham and I commend everyone involved.

If you are a resident in the current Wrexham constituency boundary and need my assistance with any local or national issues, please contact me on: sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk.