If you ask anyone at The Orchard Gardens Project, they’ll tell you they are growing a lot more than plants.
Ten men with learning disabilities have chosen to take part in the project, which has its home in Atherton.
The green-fingered crew mow lawns and tend gardens for more than 60 elderly and disabled people in the community. The talented team create handcrafted garden furniture and ornaments from recycled wood. The fruits of their labour are then sold along with bulbs, potted plants, bird seed and much more from their shop on Derby Street.
And while the efforts of Orchard Gardens is making many a garden look its bloomin’ best, the real beauty of the scheme is that it provides an exciting modern alternative to traditional day-care services and is helping those involved achieve the independence they desire.
Robert Davies, is one of the volunteers. He said: “It's a happy place to work and we are a good team. The more people involved the better, it means will have more ideas to grow the business.
“We all learn from each other. We felt very proud to donate some of the things we made to the local school.”
Robert Morris who works with The Orchard Gardens Project added: “The scheme has been running for ten years and just like the volunteers we have seen it really develop and grow.
“Our volunteers learn new skills and you can really see their confidence and self-esteem begin to blossom.
“It’s a real chance for everyone involved to create something meaningful and see their hard work and talent rewarded.”
The Orchard Gardens, 25 Derby Street, Atherton is open from 10am until 3pm Monday to Friday and offers a range of services including garden maintenance, jet wash and small scale landscaping. This is one of three horticultural initiatives for people with learning disabilities in the borough. This is one of three horticultural projects in the borough. Any green fingered fans looking to volunteer at the Orchard Gardens, Hindley Planted or Mayfield Grows can contact Terry Mann or Geoff Baker on 01942 733 215 or email Terry Mann or Geoff Baker
