OUR SERVICES
WHAT WE OFFER
- Therapeutic gardening sessions – in our purpose built demonstration garden or outreach sessions in the community, led by tutors trained in horticultural therapy.
- Activity packs – monthly packs sent out to gardeners throughout the year, with a range of horticultural projects and craft activities.
- Tours of the Demonstration Garden – examples of raised beds, containers and adapted tools.
- Talks and advice on various topics such as adapting gardens for disabled people.
- Annual events for our gardeners – outings to gardens of interest around the county, and our summer barbecue and Autumn Show.
All ages and abilities are welcome. There is no need for previous experience of gardening! Individual requirements are met through use of different gardening techniques and adapted tools.
We strive to work in a sustainable way that respects and conserves the natural environment and its resources.
40% of our gardeners report “a big improvement in physical health”. 90% say they feel “much less isolated”.
WHAT IS HORTICULTURAL THERAPY?
Gardening is a powerful tool to improve quality of life for people with disabilities.
Working in the fresh air, nurturing plants, enjoying the harvest, sharing achievement together.
The benefits of gardening…
- Physical and mental fitness, well-being and sensory stimulation.
- Increase in confidence and self-esteem.
- Gaining skills and enabling a move into employment.
- Re-building life after illness or accident.
- Working with others and meeting new people.
A TYPICAL WEEK
Therapy sessions in the demonstration garden at Headway House:
Monday
13.00 – 15.30 pm: gentle gardening and craft activities for more active adults with mixed disabilities.
Tuesday morning
9.45 -11.45 am: moderately active gardening, craft activities and cooking opportunities. Mixed ability adults, lively sociable group.
Wednesday
Group sessions for adults from Headway with acquired brain injuries.
Outreach sessions in residential and care homes around the county – run throughout the year by visiting tutors. This is an expanding area. Please contact us for more information.
We can usually accommodate individual gardeners in existing groups. For a new group of gardeners wishing to join Growing Point, every effort will be made to establish a session especially for them.
Transport
We now have our own people carrier, thanks to a very generous donation by Stanley House, Bosbury. Talk to our charity manager about help with transport.
“I like the beauty of being here, seeing the flowers.”
THE DEMONSTRATION GARDEN
Our demonstration garden is the place where we run therapy sessions, and show how people can use gardening to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
In Spring 2021, we moved our garden to Headway House, Credenhill. This is the home of Headway Herefordshire, a charity with which we have much in common. The site has excellent facilities allowing our therapeutic services to flourish. Growing Point clients can enjoy using the brand new polytunnel (thanks to a generous donation from a local trust), a lovely large greenhouse, and many raised beds with mixed planting. And we still have plenty of places to sit and relax with friends in the garden.
There is more work to be done to develop the site, and we are involving our gardeners at every stage. They bring their own creativity, and are enjoying the chance to learn new skills and gardening techniques.
THE AUTUMN SHOW
Gardeners of the Year cup – 2020 winners: Leadon Bank Ledbury
Our annual show is held at the end of the season in the Demonstration Garden. This is when gardeners can show what they have achieved during the growing year.
The 2020 autumn show was held virtually because of the pandemic. Gardeners sent their entries in several categories, including miniature garden, climbing plants grown from seed, painted garden sculptures and dried flower arrangements.
The High Sheriff in 2020, Mrs Tricia Thomas, helped judge entries and award prizes.
There was no show in 2021 because of our move to a new garden site, but it will be back in 2022!
RELATED LINKS
Thrive www.thrive.org.uk
UK horticultural charity promoting gardening and horticulture for therapy and health, training and employment.
Herefordshire Growing Point is an affiliated member
Trellis www.trellisscotland.org.uk
Scottish charity supporting the use of horticulture to improve health, well-being and life opportunities for all.
Highground www.highground-uk.org
Horticultural therapy at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Leicestershire. Resources include adapted gardening guides for a range of disabilities.
Perennial www.perennial.org.uk
Providing free and confidential advice, support and financial assistance to people of all ages working in, or retired from horticulture.
Carry On Gardening www.carryongardening.org.uk
Award winning website with numerous ideas and tips for making gardening easier.
Growing Local www.growinglocal.org.uk
Hereford based community interest company helping to develop links between local growers and the community, and offering educational land-based courses for children and adults.
HVOSS (Herefordshire Voluntary Organisations Support Services) www.hvoss.org.uk
Offers support services to ensure charities, community groups, clubs and social enterprises can thrive and continue to make a huge contribution to life in the county.
Herefordshire Mind www.herefordshire-mind.org.uk
Provides support for people affected by mental distress. Their Directory connects individuals, organisations and professionals to services, advice and opportunities across Herefordshire and beyond.
Herefordshire Growing Point is included in the directory of services.
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