28 April 2016
Back in bloom
Five months of
planning, digging, planting, weeding, nurturing and general hard
graft is about to start with the launch of the AWP in Bloom
2016.
Following in the success of the 2014 programme, which resulted
in the creation of ten beautiful gardens from previously neglected
areas of land, we look forward to seeing this year's
transformations.
The five teams who have applied to take part this year will each
receive £250 from the Trust's Charitable Fund for any equipment
they need to create their gardening space, with funding for the
same amount matched from local businesses.
Any produce grown will be used in the unit for cookery and
healthy eating activities or can be sold, donated or even shown in
local horticultural shows.
Our teams this year are:
• Juniper Ward - North Somerset
• Elmham Way - North Somerset
• Sycamore Ward - BANES
• Callington Road - Bristol
• Windswept Unit - Swindon
Judging in September will be carried out by a panel of senior
staff, service users, the Chair of the Charitable Funds Committee
and possibly a National Trust representative.
Dee Horscroft of the organisational development team says, "AWP
in Bloom proved extremely popular with service users, family,
carers and staff in 2014. The teams all have plans in place to
develop their gardens for and we are excited to see the
results.
AWP in Bloom highlights how gardening, as part of an
occupational therapy programme, has a positive impact on promoting
recovery among service users."
Thank you to the Trust's Charitable Funds Committee for
supporting this worthwhile initiative.