Garden Linx helps by introducing new skills ranging from time-keeping and teamwork to using and maintaining machinery and plant propagation. The scheme which has been running for the last 20 years recently welcomed another 20 year old service user Lindsey Smith.
For many, Garden Linx is just the beginning, where they can learn more about their strengths and aspirations. They also meet people and develop the skills and confidence to move into more challenging situations. For some this will mean a greatly increased chance that their first venture into the world of work will be a successful one.
The day-to-day running of Garden Linx is placed in the hands of those who use it. Everyone is given the opportunity to have a say in the planning each week, which gives them the skills and confidence to speak for themselves.
Garden Linx working in partnership…
A partnership with Carlisle City Council’s Green Spaces Unit has resulted in increased access to expertise and resources with individuals gaining the opportunity to participate in conservation projects in and around Carlisle.
A partnership with Northern Learning has offered individuals the opportunity to receive certified training in areas such as basic skills, retail, communication and citizenship and to gain nationally recognised qualifications.
There are a range of day care services for those with learning disabilities throughout Cumbria. For more information contact the Locality Managers at North 01228 606023 West 01946 852577 Barrow 01229 472748 Kendal 01539 721127
Cumbriain bloom “growing neighbourhoods”
Right now gardens all over the county are being pampered and pruned in preparation for the judging of this year’s Cumbria in Bloom Awards sponsored by Cumbria County Council.
The awards are a fantastic way to get recognition for your neighbourhood and really build pride in where you live! This year 45 entries have been received in seven different categories.
You might think Cumbria in Bloom is just for pretty villages in the Lakes, but you couldn’t be further from the truth. The awards welcome entries from every type of community; young, old, rural, urban, big, small, businesses, schools or residential homes. The awards are all about getting people working together to make their neighbourhood a nicer place to live and work. And it doesn’t even have to be a garden; it could be window boxes, pots and tubs, whatever and wherever you can fit some plants!
The awards are a great way to really benefit the whole community. One recent example is the work of the Whitehaven in Bloom group, Lee from the group said:
“Whitehaven in Bloom has benefited so much from our involvement with Cumbria in Bloom. Through our work with local schools, a number of community groups and most recently Haverigg Prison we have raised the local awareness of our efforts. This has had an impact on the town in a positive way”.
This year Cumbria in Bloom has also teamed up with the University of Cumbria. Students will be getting out into the community helping with regeneration projects and getting people gardening.
This year’s prize giving will be held in Houghton Hall Garden Centre, supporters of Cumbria in Bloom.
You can find out more about Cumbria in Bloom by visiting cumbria-in-bloom.org.uk (external link)