This month, we want to celebrate the incredible work of the garden project that Threshold has been involved in since 2005. As the project comes to an end this month, we will miss seeing the volunteers’ updates and the positive impact they have shared over the years!
Q&A with the Garden Crew
When did it start, initial reason for starting initiative?
The garden project commenced in 2005 when Leonard Cheshire opened a Resource Centre in Omagh. The reason the initiative was started was to provide an opportunity for people in the local area of all ages from 18+ to get together in a therapeutic environment to mix, learn new skills and to improve general health and well-being. At this time day opportunities, especially for younger people were very limited and most groups/clubs/opportunities were held indoors and were aimed at an older age group so this project was unique.
In 2005 links were made with a local Day Centres garden project to gain knowledge and expertise initially. Due to the vast uptake of interest amongst local people with disabilities Leonard Cheshire soon made links with MACCA Resource Centre and rented a large Polly Tunnel and later 2 on their site. This enabled us to increase the numbers of people who could avail of the project and having our own people carrier at this time meant we were able to provide transport to some people who would not have been able to avail of this otherwise.
Around 2013 we made links with the Ulster American Folk Park and decided to relocate the project onto their grounds. This partnership meant our gardeners also became volunteers for the Folk Park by growing plants for them and maintaining some of the grounds within the park.
How many Service users and Volunteers are involved?
The gardening project has been in existence in Omagh for 20+ years and in this time it has provided volunteering and social day opportunities for many people. In each year alone we generally have about 6-8 volunteers who help support the garden project in various roles from general maintenance, watering plants regularly, planning activities, sourcing items and supporting those with disabilities to garden. Most years we also support around 15 people with various disabilities to grow plants, friendships and enhance good mental health from being outdoors.
What was the usual process with the garden to end up with produce?
For the initial years within the garden due to funding received we were able to employ a garden co-ordinator and support staff to assist with the running of this. Gardening tasks involved growing plants and vegetables from seed or plugs to be used by those involved in the gardening and their families. Bringing home produce grown provided a great sense of satisfaction and achievement by those who participated in the project and enhanced skills which many now use in their own gardens.
In more recent years when we have not received funding we have adapted and become self-sufficient. Volunteers took over the co-ordinating and general maintenance and planning to ensure the project continued as those involved saw the benefits first hand for those we support and on their own health and well-being. To be self-sustainable we moved our focus from vegetables to growing additional plants in a larger scale bringing them in as plugs and selling them on in baskets or as larger plants which we sell at local plant sales.
‘It’s not about what we grow, its about who grows it.’
Thoughts on the impact made over the years?
The impact of this project over the years has been immeasurable. We have provided an opportunity for adults of all ages and have created a welcoming and inclusive environment for those with physical disabilities sensory impairments and/or acquired brain injuries. Liam a key volunteer once said, ‘It’s not about what we grow, its about who grows it.’ This environment has provided a change from traditional day services and clubs/groups and provided an opportunity to work outside, in a polytunnel and try something new or build on gardening skills already gained.
Some of the gardeners have discussed the great night’s sleep after a day gardening and the social and feel-good factor it has when sharing the days ‘crack’ with family and friends alongside showing the produce or looking after the plants brought home. Being in nature and spending time with others in a supportive and inclusive environment has benefited the mental health and general well-being of many if not all of our volunteers and gardeners. The knowledge gained will help those appreciate being in nature and will assist them in their own gardens in the future. Many friendships have flourished and will continue to grow for years to come.
