It’s springtime, possibly the best time to enjoy the garden! We’ve got a great handful of new partnerships bringing even more people out to enjoy the fresh air – plus some great updates! Check it all out below.
Every Monday the Special Educational Needs (SEN) unit from Drapers Academy come out to participate in Grow>Cook>Eat. They have their own special patch in the garden where we’ve planted vegetables to teach healthy eating habits. These young environmental enthusiasts are learning about the elements through hands on play and outside adventure.
Our friends at Havering Mind continue to visit the garden every Wednesday for their “Live a Better Life” programme. For 12 weeks they learn about the healthy food they’re planting, with special sessions that include crafting a sculpture in the garden. Anyone interested in joining can self-refer to the programme by contacting Havering Mind at liveabetterlife@haveringmind.org.uk. We’re starting up again in June, 2017!
Tapestry will also be enjoying the garden all summer starting in June! Every Friday a minibus picks up the older folks from around the borough and delivers them to the garden. Our focus is improving both health and wellbeing – physically and mentally. By being physically present in a natural environment amongst friends and friendly volunteers helps against social isolation. In addition to enjoying the outdoors, the garden staff will at Hopwa House in Hornchurch running workshops during Dementia Awareness week 15th – 19th May. It will be all about reminiscing with herbs and tending gardens.
The garden is part of Havering’s Dementia Action Alliance, the 2nd largest network in the country. The garden staff have been encouraging people with dementia and their carers to work in garden through the Alzheimer’s Society. We’re very proud that six of our dedicated volunteers have been trained in Dementia awareness and are now ‘Dementia Friends’.
We’re enjoy the sunny days and new growth in the garden. We’d love for you to come out and see it for yourself! We always welcome new volunteers to our team. We also have a series of events coming up – find out more on our Events page or on Facebook!