Service Spotlight: SIG Penrose Roots

Social Interest Group is proud to highlight one of our most impactful projects in Luton and Bedfordshire: SIG Penrose Roots.

SIG Penrose Roots is our Community-Based Recovery Service, which operates across three sites in Luton and Bedford. At its heart is a one-acre therapeutic garden, but Roots offers much more than just gardening. It provides a wide range of activities and support services designed to help people facing multiple disadvantages, from mental health challenges to substance use and social isolation.

The impact of Roots is best illustrated through the experiences of those it has helped, like our own Grant and Community Fundraiser, TJ:

TJ wrote a guest blog last year (back when they were a participant and before joining the SIG team) “Roots holds a special place in my heart. It was through this programme that I first encountered SIG Penrose a few years ago. At that time, I was struggling with complex mental ill-health and in desperate need of support. The community and support of the Roots team were instrumental in helping me find my footing and rediscover a sense of purpose.”

What makes Roots truly special is its approach. The service is designed and delivered by people with lived experience, ensuring that support is both empathetic and practical. In fact, over half of the SIG Penrose Roots team, including TJ, were once service members. This commitment to peer support creates a uniquely welcoming and understanding environment. In addition to multiple upskilling opportunities, including hands-on horticultural training, bike repair workshops and creative activities, Roots also provides a holistic approach to recovery and community integration, enabling people to become active community members and rebuild support networks. With fewer community day centres available since the pandemic, Roots is a lifeline for hundreds of Luton and Bedfordshire residents who face daily challenges.

Roots’ impact extends far beyond its immediate participants. The fresh produce grown in the garden is donated to local food banks and community kitchens, helping to address food poverty in Luton. The project also contributes to local conservation efforts and supports Luton Borough Council in maintaining green spaces.

However, Roots needs your support to continue providing these vital services.

Roots’ running costs are primarily sourced from charitable giving, but multiple co-existing crises, like the cost-of-living crisis, mental ill-health epidemic, and NHS service cutbacks, have increased demand for our services while simultaneously making it more challenging to secure funding. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a real difference in helping us support vulnerable members of our community.

If you’d like to contribute to this transformative project, please consider donating through our JustGiving page. Your generosity will help ensure that Roots can continue to offer hope, support, and opportunities for growth to those who need it most.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about SIG Penrose Roots. Together, we can nurture a stronger, more resilient community in Luton.