A SOLIHULL charity for people with disabilities is offering green-fingered support during National Gardening Week.
As part of its work-based learning provisions for adults with learning disabilities, charity The Family Care Trust runs a Community Gardening Service.
And in honour of National Gardening Week – running from April 30 to May 6 – the charity is encouraging residents to give its team a call if they need support with their garden.
Based in Chelmsley Wood and at Newlands Bishop Farm, the initiative gives project workers the opportunity to give back to the local community by carrying out a range of gardening and maintenance tasks.
The charity also runs Newlands Bishop Farm, where project workers’ responsibilities include growing fruit and vegetables, and looking after the garden areas.
Manager at the Family Care Trust Daniel Adams said: “There are so many benefits to gardening and working outdoors.
“Fresh air, exercise and nature are proven to help physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing.
“Our project workers also learn lots of social skills, as well as the importance of working together as a team.
“Working outdoors helps us to connect with the seasons, and we’re lucky to be located in such a beautiful spot.
“Gardening gives our project workers a real sense of achievement – especially at this time of year when the gardens begin to bloom and we start harvesting our first crops.
“All the produce grown in the gardens at Newlands Bishop Farm are either sold in our shop or used as ingredients in our kitchen.
“Over the years, we’ve seen hundreds of our project workers grow in confidence and independence.
“We believe the benefits of gardening, working and learning outdoors is a key contributor to their care and development – and of course, the support and dedication of our fantastic team and supporters.”
To enquire about the Community Gardening Service, which offers domestic and commercial gardening maintenance, grass cutting and landscaping, please contact 0121 770 2005. The next plant sale day is on 17 May 11am – 3pm at Newlands Bishop Farm in Catherine-de-Barnes, B91 2RY.
Website: www.familycaretrust.co.uk Twitter: @FamilyCareTrust
