As part of its social value outreach, Sefton business Dowhigh is always looking to find and help local organisations from within the communities in which it works to assist.
As a Netherton based business and with Bootle on its doorstep, Dowhigh connected with the Gateway Kitchen in Bootle through connections with other community groups including Bootle Tool Shed and Ainsdale in Bloom.
Dowhigh owners were introduced to Ali Horton who runs the Gateway Kitchen is part of the Gateway Collective, a social enterprise which focuses tackling loneliness and isolation through community building and support.
The Collective has two core objectives:
- To improve the health and well-being of people in Bootle
- To encourage and support the creation of collective care communities in Bootle.
A major part of the Collective is the Gateway Kitchen, which is based in North Park off Stanley Road (adjacent to Bootle Leisure Centre).
The Kitchen is open to everyone, and at every session they eat together, often cooking with what they grow, building community through food.
The group has been expanding and in 2023 had a new customer fitted container installed where they can cook and meet. But the team are ambitious and saw a great opportunity to turn an outdoor space into an area for outside seating – giving them more space and also making the centre more accessible for all.
Dowhigh colleagues dug out and replaced two sections around the kitchen at Gateway Kitchen in Bootle the new outdoor seating area as well as a path at the rear of the container to allow access
Ali contacted Dowhigh to see if it could help and, in early 2024 the firm commenced work on converting the area.
Over the space of three days, Dowhigh colleagues dug out and replaced two sections around the kitchen – the new outdoor seating area as well as a path at the rear of the container to allow access.
Ali Horton, Gateway Collective said:
“A massive thank-you to Dowhigh for creating our beautiful outdoor space. It gives us a place to sit and chat in our community garden, which is so important when building relationships and increasing mental well-being. The support from Dowhigh has been invaluable and every member of the Dowhigh team we have met has been warm, welcoming, and committed to improving our local area.”
Dowhigh colleagues dug out and replaced two sections around the kitchen at Gateway Kitchen in Bootle the new outdoor seating area as well as a path at the rear of the container to allow access
Peter Dowd, MP for Bootle said:
“It’s great to see a local company like Dowhigh helping groups such as the Gateway Kitchen who do so much in the local community. Doing so has such a positive impact in Bootle and I’m sure the new outdoor seating area will give the group a greater opportunity to help more people in our area. Well done to Dowhigh for being a big supporter within our area and I wish both Ali and the Gateway Community as well as Dowhigh all the success for the future!”
Trevor Murray, Dowhigh Director said:
“It’s always been our goal to help worthy community groups and organisations within our local community and we’re pleased to be able to assist the Gateway Kitchen, Ali and her team transform this outdoor area into a valuable asset which will help the group in the future. From all of the team at Dowhigh we wish the Collective all the success for the future!”
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