another case study...... Sydenham Garden was set up with the main purpose of helping those in our local community coping with or recovering from significant illness.
Sydenham Gardens
Resource Centre, 28a Wynell Road, London, SE23 2LW
Patients are referred to the project through their GP or key worker and when at the project are known as “co-workers”; working alongside centre staff and other volunteers.
Co-workers have the opportunity to work either in the community garden and nature reserve or with our Art and Craft group. Although some opt to do both!
We make every effort to cater for the individual’s physical abilities as much as possible and tasks in the garden can range from light activities such as sowing seeds in pots, to heavier work such as digging or bricklaying.
We also provide accredited training and help with progression to further education, volunteering opportunities or reemployment.
The charity’s co-workers also have an active part in the development of the community garden and in the shaping of the project as a whole. Many also get involved in our very popular community events.
Regular social events, group trips to other community projects and visits to places of interest are also an important part of the co-worker experience at Sydenham Garden.
If you think you would like to join us as a co-worker, please have a look at our leaflet.
www.sydenhamgarden.org.uk/uploads/
About Us
Founded in 2002, Sydenham Garden is a growing, award-winning, registered charity involved in improving the health and well-being of residents living in Lewisham and Bromley.
We provide gardening and creative opportunities for co-workers (the name the project gives to our primary beneficiaries) referred from over 30 community organisations and health sector agencies.
We have developed an integrative approach where those with different degrees of mental and physical ill health come together with volunteers and members of the local community.
This approach aims to reduce exclusion and the prejudice which fuels continuing lack of opportunity for many of our beneficiaries.
As a user-centred service, co-workers and volunteers are very much involved in our decision-making processes and service delivery approach.
In 2009, we had a record number of over 60 co-workers regularly attending the project, with over 50 co-workers, volunteers and local people achieving Open College Network qualifications.
We are currently developing a significant expansion of training and work experience opportunities in the form of a market garden social enterprise.
As local support continues to grow for the charity and its invaluable work in the community, over 1500 visitors attended our ever-popular seasonal events last year.
We are always striving to be as inclusive and accessible to the community as possible.
Co-worker Activities
Co-workers have the opportunity to work either in the community garden and nature reserve or with our Art and Craft group. Although some opt to do both!
We make every effort to cater for the individual’s physical abilities as much as possible and tasks in the garden can range from light activities such as sowing seeds in pots, to heavier work such as digging or bricklaying.
We also provide accredited training and help with progression to further education, volunteering opportunities or reemployment.
The charity’s co-workers also have an active part in the development of the community garden and in the shaping of the project as a whole. Many also get involved in our very popular community events.
Regular social events, group trips to other community projects and visits to places of interest are also an important part of the co-worker experience at Sydenham Garden.
If you think you would like to join us as a co-worker, please have a look at our leaflet.
www.sydenhamgarden.org.uk/uploads/
About Us
Founded in 2002, Sydenham Garden is a growing, award-winning, registered charity involved in improving the health and well-being of residents living in Lewisham and Bromley.
We provide gardening and creative opportunities for co-workers (the name the project gives to our primary beneficiaries) referred from over 30 community organisations and health sector agencies.
We have developed an integrative approach where those with different degrees of mental and physical ill health come together with volunteers and members of the local community.
This approach aims to reduce exclusion and the prejudice which fuels continuing lack of opportunity for many of our beneficiaries.
As a user-centred service, co-workers and volunteers are very much involved in our decision-making processes and service delivery approach.
In 2009, we had a record number of over 60 co-workers regularly attending the project, with over 50 co-workers, volunteers and local people achieving Open College Network qualifications.
We are currently developing a significant expansion of training and work experience opportunities in the form of a market garden social enterprise.
As local support continues to grow for the charity and its invaluable work in the community, over 1500 visitors attended our ever-popular seasonal events last year.
We are always striving to be as inclusive and accessible to the community as possible.
Co-worker Activities
Co-workers take part in a range of therapeutic gardening or Art and Craft activities, depending on their interests. Co-workers set medium and long term goals (activity and health or social) and seek to achieve these during their sessions.
Garden sessions begin with the co-workers, volunteers and staff deciding what needs doing and tasks are allotted depending upon individuals’ goals.
Art and Craft sessions take place in a group and individuals complete projects such as card making, painting, felt making etc.
Throughout the year co-workers have a chance to complete accredited training courses – we have run Level 1 and Level 2 Gardening courses, Level 2 Ecology and Conservation, Level 2 Felt Making, Mosaic Making and Batik / Tie Dye.
find out more about this fab project at www.sydenhamgarden.org.uk
Garden sessions begin with the co-workers, volunteers and staff deciding what needs doing and tasks are allotted depending upon individuals’ goals.
Art and Craft sessions take place in a group and individuals complete projects such as card making, painting, felt making etc.
Throughout the year co-workers have a chance to complete accredited training courses – we have run Level 1 and Level 2 Gardening courses, Level 2 Ecology and Conservation, Level 2 Felt Making, Mosaic Making and Batik / Tie Dye.
find out more about this fab project at www.sydenhamgarden.org.uk
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