Meadowbrook CIC was established in August 2021 to have a particular focus on those living with mental and physical health challenges and those experiencing the challenges of social isolation.
Meadowbrook is a 2 ½ acre plot of ex-farmland in the heart of Wiltshire. The land is owned by co-founders and husband and wife; Grace and Jason Dalgleish. The site is situated on the outskirts of Melksham and is surrounded by fields. Meadowbrook has a substantial brook that meanders through its land. Meadowbrook’s activities are being developed to bring beneficiaries outside of the confines of their own living spaces; enabling them to experience improved wellbeing and connection. Meadowbrook is working towards being an innovative outdoors space. It will consist of dedicated wildflower areas, an orchard with 30/40 trees and an enclosed growing area with communal beds and a wildlife pond. A sensory garden will be created along with a themed healing/ medicinal garden, a weaver’s dye garden (to celebrate the local weaving heritage) and areas of willow planting (to alleviate an area prone to flooding as well as to supply willow activities on site). All this will encourage biodiversity and contribute to a healthier local eco-system benefitting local farmland and gardens. We are passionate about wanting people to reconnect with the natural world and become confident, active changemakers in addressing issues of climate change. Vegetables, fruit, plants, and flowers will be grown, and some can go towards creating edible produce. This produce can be supplied to local organisations such as community foodbanks, fridges and dining projects on our doorstep and cookery projects run by Storehouse Trowbridge. There is also the potential to sell the produce direct on-site and in local outlets. There will be a focus on physical wellbeing with fitness areas being interwoven into the landscape. There will be a firepit area, a small outdoor ‘performance platform’ within a hornbeam circle, shelters for cooking and eating as well as shelters for creative workshops.

As the site becomes fit for purpose - sessional work will be hosted on site to generate income and ensuring sustainability for the venture. These charged sessions would vary; from hosting paid and subsidised groups from local organisations to more 'drop-in' style sessions, free to beneficiaries signposted via social prescribers and LAC’s etc. Sessions initially would be facilitated by myself and my husband and consist of visual arts, green crafts, gardening, and yoga. Local service providers are keen to use more interesting and alternative venues. In addition, an ethical Not-For-Profit venue is appealing to individuals and groups/businesses that are keen to be involved in societal change on their doorstep. Other local session providers are already being identified and would be invited to deliver their sessions on site (as becomes fit for purpose) - paying hire charges.

As the 2.5-acre plot evolves, it will become a multi-purpose year-round venue; a space of imagination and atmosphere that grows in reputation for hosting unique yet affordable ‘Al-fresco’ small-scale events and gatherings. Many residents living in the new housing estates that have sprung up nearby have limited access to green community spaces that can be used in this way. The site
would host small and medium sized events where people can hire out part; or all, of the field space exclusively for their own use – whether for celebrations of life, family parties, wellbeing retreats or corporate team building days. The growing area on site could supply produce for these 'gatherings' and this produce could also eventually supply local businesses.