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Gardening Grants for the Disabled

Do you enjoy gardening? Or do you want to start gardening as a hobby?

Whatever you're dreams......a veg plot, a window box or maintaining an existing garden....

Gardening with a disability can be fun...and healthy too!

How you garden and how much you do will depend on your disability (and your level of interest - of course!)

Installing rails, removing steps and grassing over flower beds made our garden more accessible.....but best of all were the raised beds that became mini allotments!

Whether you need to change the layout of your existing garden, use lighter tools or choose plants that need less maintenance it all takes time and costs money.

So, do find out if friends or local gardening groups might be able to help you with plants, building materials or an extra pair of hands.

Don't forget that your Local Authority may be able to fund some adaptations through the Disabled Facilities Grant if you need access from the home to the garden.

And..... there are gardening grants, practical help and advice, for individuals and community gardens from charities and trusts to help you enjoy gardening with a disability.

With gardening and sensory areas now popular in special schools....there is funding for these too!

Just check out the details below....

Dobbies in the Community

Dobbies Garden Centres support local communities around their stories.

It's community plan is made up of four elements:

Helping Your Community Grow: encouraging our local communities to get growing
Local and National Charity partnerships: supporting and fundraising for Dobbies National Christmas Charity Partner and Dobbies Local Charity Partners (each store supports a local charity partner for the remaining 9 months of the year)
The Dobbies Little Seedlings Club: a free-to-join gardening club teaching children about plants, wildlife and the environment
Events: In-store horticultural and family-fun events

"Helping Your Community Grow" is a national initiative to help local communities develop green spaces and gardens.

The scheme provides funding, assistance and support to community groups, projects, schools and charities located near one of their garden centres.

It has previously supported projects such sensory gardens and vegetable patches for schools, garden makeovers for families in need, window boxes and planting trees at hospices and disability centres.

All local community groups are welcome to apply to Helping Your Community Grow from March – July using the online applications form on the Dobbies website.

Each Dobbies garden centre also support one local charity each financial year.

www.dobbies.com

Gardening with Disabilities Trust

The Gardening with Disabilities Trust provides grants to people in the UK to enable them continue gardening despite age, illness or disability.

It helps with adaptations, the cost of tools and raised beds as well as advice and information on different aids and techniques.

To apply: Use the online application form on the website.

www.gardeningwithdisabilitiestrust.co.uk

Help with Garden Maintenance

The elderly, disabled or vulnerable may qualify for help from their local council to maintain their garden.

It is only available if you are physically unable to do the work yourself and if you have no other family or friends who could help you. The service may be chargeable.

Each council is different - some cut grass and hedges others include shrubs and trees. To find out about the services offered by your council the Directgov website has a quick search facility to help you find your local council.

www.direct.gov.uk

The National Garden Scheme -Elspeth Thompson Bursary

The National Garden Scheme (NGS) offer a bursary in memory of Elspeth Thompson to support community gardening projects.

The Fund provides financial support to community projects to enable them to create a garden or project to benefit the community or to teach horticultural knowledge and skills.

The maximum amount awarded would not usually exceed £5,000

The closing date is 31st December in any year with decisions on funding made by the February of the following year.

It has previously funded a therapy garden.

To apply: Download an application form

www.ngs.org.uk

The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)

TCV works to create healthier and happier communities for everyone by connecting people and green spaces to deliver lasting outcomes for both.

It operates a Green Gym scheme as an alternative to traditional gym or fitness activities. It aims to improve individuals physical and mental health and wellbeing, by being outdoors, active and social interaction. All sessions are free.

The organisation also offers Health Walks to improve health and wellbeing. Suitable for people recovering from illness or injury, getting little exercise or lacking in confidence and self-esteem.

www.tcv.org.uk

Thrive

Thrive promotes and supports gardening for the disabled.

It offers help to disabled people who want to garden at home or in a community setting with factsheets, written and audio publications.

There are opportunities to learn through it's regional centres in Reading, London and Birmingham. It also runs outreach programmes at schools, hostels, hospitals and care homes.

Thrive courses and workshops for health, education, horticulture and social professionals to enable them to help people living with a wide variety of needs..

It also provides practical advice on garden design, specialist tools and tips on all aspects for gardening with a disability.

www.thrive.org.uk