OUR SERVICES
WHAT GROWING POINT OFFERS
- Therapeutic gardening sessions – in our purpose built demonstration garden or outreach sessions in the community led by trained tutors
- Activity packs – a range of horticultural projects and craft activities.
- Cooking sessions – using produce harvested from the garden to promote healthy living.
- Tours of the Demonstration Garden – examples of raised beds 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, our summer barbecue and Autumn Show.
All ages and abilities are welcome. There is no need for previous gardening experience! Individual requirements are met through use of different gardening techniques and adapted tools.
National Lottery has generously supported our outreach work during 2022, bringing horticultural therapy to more people
WHAT IS HORTICULTURAL THERAPY?
Gardening is a powerful tool. It can improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Working in the fresh air, nurturing plants, enjoying the harvest, sharing achievement together.
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 have our own people carrier purchased through a fundraising appeal in 2023. Talk to our charity manager about help with transport.
40% of our gardeners report “a big improvement in physical health”. 90% say they feel “much less isolated”.
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 have access to a large polytunnel and 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 enjoy the chance to learn new skills and gardening techniques.
THE AUTUMN SHOW
The 2023 Autumn show was held on September 28th with more than 60 people attending. Herefordshire’s High Sheriff Robert Robinson and his wife Sue judged the fabulous array of entries and displays. Music was provided by the Hereford Ukulele band, and the afternoon was rounded off by delicious tea and cakes made by our trustees.
Congratulations to all exhibitors and prize winners. Gardener of the Year is Mark Randall and the Most Improved Gardener was awarded to David Ferguson Thomas.
Other prizewinners included:
- West Eaton Care Home for a planted teapot.
- Moor Court for floral self-portraits.
- Stanley House for a cut flower display and Orchard End for their decorative potato prints.
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.