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Gardening Club: Planting Progress at Milldale Walk

This week, the team headed to our Milldale Walk allotment full of energy and ready to get stuck in. With tools packed by DLE, AW, and PH, the group got to work as soon as they arrived.

Two men in the poly tunnel at the allotment. One of them is scooping some compost from a tub.

DLE and PH focused on preparing the beds, while AW joined in planting four new rows of potatoes. AB and AW also made great progress with weeding, helping to keep the plot tidy and well cared for.

A second picture of two men in the poly tunnel at the allotment. One of them is scooping some compost from a tub.
A man sat inside on a chair next to a shelf of seedlings.

In the polytunnel, TG and John sowed foxglove seeds and watered the growing plants. Despite the heat, the team worked efficiently and with real focus.

A view of the allotment - a large bed freshly dug
Two men inside at Enablement Care. One is holding a spray bottle by the indoor seedlings.

Back at Enablement Care, lunch was enjoyed together, with AB helping to set the table. The day wrapped up with TG and John tending to the micro garden, where signs of the next harvest are already appearing.

Although we missed a few familiar faces this week, the group pulled together and made great progress.

If you are looking for engaging, supportive outdoor activities for individuals with additional needs, CET’s Gardening Club provides hands-on sessions that build skills, confidence, and connection.

Contact us to find out more.

Lots of seed trays on the floor at the allotment.
Close up of rhubarb seedlings.
Lots of seed trays on the floor at the allotment.
Lots of seed trays on the floor at the allotment.
Close up of Brussels seedlings
Lots of seed trays on the floor at the allotment.
a hand spraying seedlings indoors
Lots of seed trays on the floor at the allotment.
A number of seedlings in 3 trays
A number of seedlings in 4 trays
A man spraying seedlings
A man holding seedlings in a tray
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Walking Club: Exploring Flash and Three Shires Head

Recently, Walking Club explored the stunning Flash and Three Shires Head Circular route. With clear skies and beautiful views, the group tackled a mix of terrain including stiles, streams, stepping stones, and a fair amount of mud.

A woman stood on rocks in a shallow stream

Along the way, we enjoyed some unexpected moments, from meeting a friendly dog to spotting alpacas watching us from a nearby field. We paused halfway by the stream to rest and take in the peaceful surroundings.

A man stood on rocks in a shallow stream

Thank you to Cayton for leading the group and keeping everyone safe and supported throughout the walk.

a view of two pathways, one leading down and one leading up.

These sessions offer more than exercise. They promote wellbeing, confidence, and connection with nature in a supportive environment.

If you support individuals with additional needs and are looking for structured, meaningful outdoor activities, get in touch to learn more about CET’s Walking Club.

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Wednesday Cooking Club: A Classic British Fry-Up with an Easter Twist

This week at Wednesday Cooking Club, our group took on a much-loved British classic, led by the capable hands of Cayton and Louise. The session was a lively mix of hands-on cooking, teamwork, and a few sweet surprises.

On the menu was a hearty fry-up, complete with crispy bacon, perfectly fried eggs, sausages, baked beans, tomatoes, and golden hash browns. While hash browns may not be part of a traditional British breakfast, they were a welcome addition and much enjoyed by the group.

A lady stirring food in a mixing bowl
A lady standing next to a toaster and a loaf of bread

Instead of a typical dessert, we embraced the Easter spirit with homemade Easter cookies. Packed with milk and white chocolate chips and chocolate eggs, these sweet treats were a big hit. The first batch may have spent a little too long in the oven, but they still went down well. Special mention goes to DLE, whose batch was baked to perfection. His cookies looked fantastic and tasted even better.

After everyone had enjoyed their meals, the group worked together to clean up. Washing pots, drying up, and tidying the kitchen became part of the shared experience, rounding off the session with a real sense of teamwork and achievement.

Two men stood around a table, there are saucepans on the heat on the table. One of the men is chopping mushrooms
A woman is cooking bacon in a frying pan. A man next to her is cooking black pudding in a frying pan.

A huge thank you to Cayton and Louise for another successful and enjoyable session. These activities not only build practical life skills but also offer valuable opportunities for connection, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen.

Two women, smiling and looking at the camera whilst stirring pans of food.

If you are a professional seeking engaging, supportive group activities for individuals with additional needs, CET’s Cooking Club offers structured sessions that build independence, skills, and self-esteem in a welcoming environment.

tomatoes in a saucepan
mushrooms in a frying pan
beans in a saucepan

Get in touch to learn more about how to refer someone to our services.

A plate of 'fry-up' breakfast, eggs, sausage, tomatoes, bacon, mushrooms and hash browns.
A baked good with mini-eggs
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Gardening Club Update: Sunshine, Teamwork, and Growing Success

A gardening club member on the allotment leaning on his spade.

With the sun shining and spring in full swing, it was the perfect day for a Gardening Club.

A view over the allotment and a freshly dig bed.
A man standing at the side of a large raised allotment bed.

The team made fantastic progress at the allotment. In the polytunnel, DK, TG, and Lisa worked together to care for our flower seedlings, focusing on marigolds which we are growing for our summer fayre in July. The polytunnel is already full of colour and promise, and it is exciting to see how quickly everything is developing.

3 gardening club members in the polytunnel at the allotment.

The tomato plants are thriving and have now been moved into larger pots. Meanwhile, our other seedlings are showing strong signs of growth, a real reward for the care and attention they have been given.

Out on the main plot, PH prepared the soil for another batch of potatoes. AW and DLE took on the physically demanding job of breaking up the compacted ground, and after plenty of hard work, they successfully planted a new row of parsnips and swedes. Support worker Lee was on hand throughout the morning, assisting with digging, watering, and making sure the team stayed on track.

A man leaning on his fork at the allotment

After a productive few hours outdoors, we returned to Enablement Care for a well-earned and delicious lunch.

A man inside, stood next to some shelving with small gardening tools on it

In the afternoon, our focus shifted to the ATTFE College “Grow Together” project. With several residents taking part, Lee guided the group through the process of measuring out seeds, filling compost pots, and planting carefully and thoughtfully. It was a fantastic way to end the day, combining education, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose.

Enablement Care resident sat in her wheelchair next to a recently potted-up planter.

By the end of the session, everyone felt that special kind of tiredness that comes from a good day’s work. There was a real sense of achievement across the group.

Thank you to Lisa and Lee for their support and guidance in making the day run smoothly.

If you are a professional looking for meaningful activities that support individuals with additional needs, our Gardening Club offers hands-on experiences that build confidence, skills, and wellbeing.

Get in touch to find out more about how to get involved.

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Gardening club on the warmest day of the year (so far)

Two men in the poly tunnel holding seedling trays
A man watering the base of the wig-wams
Radish seedlings beginning to poke through the ground there is a label towards the back of the picture that says radish
Rows of trays of seeds in the poly tunnel
A woman at the Allotment with a watering can she is watering the corn on the ground
Two men in the poly tunnel holding seedling trays
A woman sat on a pile of pallets. She is smiling at the camera.
Lots of seedling trays on the poly Tunnel ground
Lots of seeds in trays and seedlings on the floor
A man holding a seedling tray by a handle he looks happy
Two men stood in front of a poly tunnel frame with garden forks they have dug over the bed behind them
A woman sat down on the Earth taking a rest there is another woman behind her by some pallets
Another shot of wig-wams ready for beans
A small bean shoot growing next to a bamboo pole
Rows of corn in the ground
Bamboo pole set out into wigwam shapes ready for beans to be planted
A man holding a wooden block he is smiling and looks very happy
A corn seedling in some top soil

With the warmest day of the year so far, this week’s Gardening Club was a brilliant mix of fresh air, teamwork, and meaningful progress on our allotment plot.

The morning began at Enablement Care, where the group carefully checked on the seedlings growing on our windowsills. After watering and preparing a few plants for relocation, we loaded up the minibus with tools, seeds, and enthusiasm for the day ahead.

At the allotment, D.E. was ready and waiting. He and A.W. took on the job of preparing the ground for our pea plants – digging over the soil and constructing a wigwam-style support from canes. It was a detailed task, but they stayed focused and completed it with pride.

Lisa tackled one of the most challenging spots on the plot, clearing stubborn thistles and nettles before planting out a section of corn on the cob – a brilliant addition to our growing selection of crops.

In the polytunnel, T.G. and D.K., with support from Louise, planted marigolds and aubrieta. D.K. even found wood for a personal project he’s working on – a wooden train. Meanwhile, A.B. focused on hand-weeding and general upkeep, helping to keep the space tidy and functional. She later helped gather tools and took responsibility for securing the site before we left.

Back at Enablement Care, the group enjoyed a well-earned lunch of cottage pie or pizza, followed by apple crumble and custard. With great conversation and a final round of watering in the afternoon, the day closed on a positive note.

These sessions are about more than gardening – they provide purpose, routine, and the chance to connect with others through shared activity. The allotment is evolving into a productive, welcoming space, and our participants are at the heart of its progress.

If you’re a professional looking for purposeful, supported activities for individuals with additional needs, CET’s Gardening Club could be a great fit.

Get in touch to find out more about our therapeutic horticulture sessions and how we can work with your service users.

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A busy March day at the allotment

It was a glorious day for gardening, with blue skies and warm spring sunshine, the perfect weather for getting stuck into some hard work at the allotment. The team included AW, AB, DaE, P, TG, and DK, with support from Anthony, Lisa, and Louise.

veg growing in a bed

We began by gathering tools, with AW and P taking the lead on loading them into the minibus. Once at the allotment, everyone quickly got to work. P focused on weeding to make space for more potatoes, while AB and DaE prepared the soil and planted two rows of carrots and one row of swedes. AB also kept the plot neat and tidy throughout the day with additional weeding.

soil with plant labels

Later on, AB and AW teamed up to collect plastic waste and tidy up the site, while DaE continued planting. Over in the polytunnel, DK and Lisa were busy sowing seeds for cucumbers, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, marigolds, and a few flowers with names tricky enough to need pronunciation guides! The warm tunnel is ideal for germination, so we’re hopeful for a healthy crop.

Seed tray with seedlings starting.

In the afternoon, the group came together to discuss the plot’s plans, what to plant next and how to maximise the space. With tools packed and everything cleared up, we headed back to Enablement Care.

soil in a seed tray with seedlings starting to show

Back on site, the last task was unloading and returning tools before everyone sat down for a well-earned lunch. AB helped set the table, and the group enjoyed pizza, pies, and Coca-Cola, with sponge and custard to finish.

It was a brilliant day of productivity, socialising, and teamwork. A highlight was seeing AB receive a well-deserved shoutout on Facebook and a certificate from our manager, April Parker, in recognition of her volunteering. It was a proud moment and a great confidence boost for her!

Two gardening club members

A big thank you to Lisa and Louise for their continued support, and to everyone who contributed to such a positive and productive day. The allotment is looking better than ever, and we’re excited to see what we can grow next.

The allotment club group of participants

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🌟 Exciting News for 2025! 🌟

2025

We’ve got a fantastic line-up of activities planned for the new year, including:

🌿 Gardening Club – Get your hands dirty and grow something amazing!
🚶‍♂️ Walking Club – Explore the outdoors and stay active with friends.
🏠 Life Skills at the Community Hub – Learn something new and build confidence!

…and so much more to look forward to! 🎉

Keep an eye on our website for updates and details coming soon. Let’s make 2025 a year full of growth, fun, and connection! 🌟

Please get in touch if you’d like to join us!!

#CommunityActivities #GetInvolved #Exciting2025 #Gardening #Walking #LifeSkills

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Walking Club’s Year in Review: 2024 Adventures 🎉🚶‍♂️🌿

Walking Club Montage of the past year

As we reflect on 2024, our Walking Club has enjoyed numerous memorable adventures. Here’s a look back at some of our highlights:

🌧️ April: Embracing Nature’s Beauty

Out and About with Walking Club: We embarked on a five-mile circular journey, combining parts of the Trans Pennine Trail and the Cuckoo Way. Despite intermittent showers, our spirits remained high, and we concluded our trek with coffee and cake at the Hollinwood Hub Cafe. ☕🍰

🌺 June: A Day at Newstead Abbey

The Latest from Walking Club – Thanks to Cayton and Louise! We enjoyed a leisurely day at Newstead Abbey, soaking in vibrant colours and rich history. The day ended with delightful treats at the teashop, making it a 10/10 experience. 🌳✨

🌳 August: Exploring Pleasley Vale

Walking Club – Pleasley Vale: Our walk took us around Pleasley Vale and its historic mills. We enjoyed the shade of overhanging trees and shared stories of the area’s rich history, concluding with a visit to the Mansfield Wildlife Centre. 🏞️🐾

🏔️ September: Conquering Peaks

Tuesday Walking Club Conquers Mam Tor!! We reached the summit of Mam Tor, enjoying panoramic views of the Peak District. The clear skies and gentle breeze made this challenging hike a favourite among members. 🌤️

Walking Club Adventure: Exploring Elvaston Castle: We ventured to the grounds of Elvaston Castle, exploring its rich history and sprawling woodlands, making it a perfect spot for our adventure. 🏰🌿

🍂 October: Historical Walks and Nature’s Splendour

Tuesday Walking Club – Stanton Moor: Our group enjoyed a 2.5-mile walk through farmland to Stanton Moor, spotting local wildlife and taking in stunning panoramas, including the Nine Ladies stone circle. 🌄🐦

Walking Club Visits Vicar Water Country Park: A pleasant 2.5-mile walk around Vicar Water Country Park, exploring various trails and concluding with refreshments at Rumbles Café. 🌳☕

🍁 November: Scenic Trails and Friendly Encounters

A Day Out with Walking Club: Exploring Tansley Knoll, Matlock: We explored Tansley Knoll in Matlock, enjoying historic mills, scenic waterfalls, and friendly animals, ending the day at a local garden centre. 🐾🏞️

🎄 December: Festive Spirit

Belper Walk with Walking Club: We explored the town of Belper, known for its rich industrial heritage and picturesque surroundings, including a fun stop at a larger-than-life statue of Mr Potato Head. 🎅🛤️

As we look forward to 2025, we invite more members to join our Walking Club. Whether you’re seeking physical well-being, mental health benefits, or social interaction, our club offers a supportive and enriching experience tailored to all abilities. Stay tuned for our upcoming adventures! 🚶‍♂️💚✨

Call us on 01623 397750