The Gardening Project is one of four projects that are run for the benefit of residents across our residential services in West Yorkshire. The other three projects are Bakery, Education and Textiles. The aim of the Gardening Project is to encourage and promote the importance of working as a team. At the same time it aims to bring out the best in any individual, to nurture growth, both personally and in what they plant.
The Gardening Project at Kirkside is set in a quiet, peaceful and private area, surrounded by trees, birds, and lots of fresh air. Together with the residents, Colin, the head gardener, and his assistant Roxy, have created an interesting environment with flower beds, vegetable patches, a polytunnel and individual gardening plots.
“I think Gardening is awesome. Everything has shot up so quick and it hasn’t rained! We’ve got new chicks and they’re getting bigger and eating all our food.”Resident, Beacon House
It is a fun and friendly environment to work in all seasons and gives residents the opportunity to socialise with peers from other services. The project is currently working with 15 service users from eight of our residential homes. The project runs Monday to Friday from 9.30 – 2pm and residents are also paid for their time.
A variety of fruit and vegetables are grown, including; apples. blackberries, carrots, courgettes, grapes, onions, plums, potatoes, strawberries, sweetcorn and tomatoes. Everything that is grown is used by the residents themselves for their own cooking needs.
“Here at Team Gardening we aim to nurture a passion for Gardening and promote personal growth within our placements. This environment provides a therapeutic atmosphere with plenty of fresh air, gaining experience and confidence and the benefit of a hard days paid work.”Colin Holme, Gardening Team Leader
In addition to fruit and vegetables the Gardening Project also keeps chickens. These are housed in the custom built Eggy Stowbart and Eggs Tractor. The eggs that are laid are distributed to the local residential homes and are also used for cooking by the Bakery Project which is also located at Kirkside.
“The Garden is nice. I like all the residents and staff, Colin and Roxy. I like coming to help people and getting the eggs to make for tea.”Resident, Beacon House
If you would like to know more about the Gardening Project please contact project lead Colin Holme at [email protected].