A donation of £1,000 has enabled Bee Mission 500 to purchase a bee hive, a colony of bees including the queen, equipment for bee keepers and two on-line training courses to give two homeless volunteers an opportunity to start their training.
The new Community Interest Company based in Bournemouth is looking to place 500 beehives around Dorset and Hampshire as its first goal.
“We also intend to plant wildflowers for all natural pollinators alongside all hives that are placed,” says Amy Foster of Bee Mission 500. “Our main interest is to give back to the community. We have been supporting and working with homeless people in Bournemouth for the last eighteen months. We want to get them involved in the project, whether it’s training to become a beekeeper, packing and selling honey once it’s harvested, or being part of the day to day running of a thriving enterprise. We hope to give them new skills and a purpose helping them move forward in their lives, alongside routine and security.”
Lottie Forte, a member of the J.P. Morgan Community Relations Committee who was responsible for the donation commented: “What a great combination, to be able to help homeless people and the environment at the same time. We think this is a great project and hope to see it go from strength to strength.”
J.P. Morgan employs 4,000 people at its technology and operations centre in Bournemouth and has a strong history of community engagement.