Workbridge on Bedford Road are sharing a little festive joy with the opening of their new Christmas Market this week in the garden centre.
Workbridge is a Northampton charity and social enterprise that helps adults with learning disabilities, brain injuries, mental illness or autism develop their confidence and skills for life and work.
The popular garden centre and plant nursery - which sells a range of plants grown by people who attend Workbridge - remains open during lockdown. Inside, service users and instructors have built a series of wooden market stalls which are selling quality handmade gifts for Christmas. Each stall showcases the talents on show in Workbridge departments, including bespoke woodwork, woodturning, ceramics and textiles products made in session.
The Christmas Market in the garden centre is currently open from 9am until 3pm weekdays and 9am – 3:30pm on Saturdays. Workbridge hope to open on Sundays in December.
Helen Wright, Head of Workbridge, is excited about the festivities. She explained:
"Everyone at Workbridge is so grateful for the continued support we have received from members of the community this year.
Lockdown has been hard on everyone, not least people with learning disabilities, mental illness, autism and brain injuries. Many of the people who use Workbridge have been quite isolated this year, so being able to bring people together again over the festive period is so very important to us. We hope everyone enjoys the Christmas Market, and the quality bespoke items we have available.”
A range of real Christmas trees and festive wreaths are also available to buy, including locally sourced, pot grown trees. A special 10% discount will apply between December 1-7 for NHS and Frontline workers (an ID or Blue Light Card must be shown to receive this discount).
This year Workbridge were unable to organise their popular Christmas Craft Fair due to Covid-19. The Christmas Market is a safe alternative that showcases the same skills and talents of service users over the course of weeks, rather than one day. Stallholders from across Northamptonshire will be joining the Christmas Market after England’s lockdown ends. Look out for stalls from a range of crafters, bakers and food producers.
You can visit the Workbridge Christmas Market while shopping for your essentials at the garden centre or at the neighbouring Daily Bread Cooperative. Stringent safety and hygiene measures are in place, and customers are reminded to wear face masks and follow social distancing.
For more information, please check out the Facebook Event – just search for “Christmas Market at Workbridge Garden Centre”, or visit the website www.workbridge.org.uk
