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Teamwork and Growth at Gardening Club

Person holding bamboo cane next to netted pea frame – A man in a black puffer jacket and grey joggers works on securing a bamboo cane to a green netting structure in the allotment.
Seedlings in trays – A variety of young vegetable and flower seedlings growing in labelled pots and trays inside a polytunnel.
Group gardening with netting frame – A group of people work together to plant out seedlings and build a netted support frame using bamboo canes.
Planting peas under netting – A man crouches to plant seedlings beneath a netting frame while others look on and assist.
Close-up of broad bean seedlings – Broad bean seedlings in biodegradable pots labelled with a white plant tag.
Man potting compost into plant pots – A man fills black plastic pots with compost from a green bucket inside a polytunnel.
Three men working together by stacked pallets – Three men prepare planting areas and discuss next steps beside a stack of wooden pallets in the allotment.
Freshly earthed-up potato beds – Neat ridges of soil formed into rows for growing potatoes, with bamboo markers at each end.
Team building netting around frame – A support worker and two men add netting to a bamboo structure to support broad bean plants.
Watering seedlings indoors – A man sprays a tray of young seedlings using a red spray bottle on a shelf unit indoors, with an Easter egg box visible nearby.

The latest session of our Gardening Club at the allotment was full of energy, purpose, and collaboration, with just a touch of uncertainty in the weather. With rain in the air, the team wasted no time unloading the minibus and getting stuck in.

DLE took charge of earthing up the potatoes, carefully clearing weeds and shaping the rows to keep the area tidy and productive. His work gave the patch a real sense of structure – a noticeable transformation in just one session.

Meanwhile, AW built a bamboo cane frame beside the peas and planted out our broad bean seedlings, which had been started on the windowsill at Enablement Care. It was a satisfying milestone, marking another plot coming to life.

In the polytunnel, AB and TG, supported by Lee, focused on repotting flower seedlings into larger pots. Each plant was handled with care and precision, using just the right amount of compost to give them room to grow.

As always, time flew by. The group packed away with impressive teamwork – tools cleaned, waste collected, and everything loaded back into the minibus smoothly. A final sweep of the site by AW and AB ensured nothing was left behind.

Back at Enablement Care, the day ended with a shared meal – chicken casserole followed by fruit cobbler. A well-earned treat that rounded off the session with warmth and community.

Special thanks to everyone for your efforts – and to Lee for stepping in while Lisa was away (rest assured, Lisa, your onions are thriving!).

Please get in touch if you’d like to know more about our Gardening Club and how we support individuals with additional needs through outdoor and therapeutic activity.

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Walking Club Explores Rufford Park

Walking Club recently enjoyed a peaceful stroll around Rufford Abbey Country Park – a welcome dose of fresh air, movement, and good company.

A woman in a pink gilet smiling at the camera while walking through the woods, with another walker behind her holding a water bottle.
A small group walking along a forest path surrounded by tall trees and greenery.
Three members of the group sitting on a bench in the woods, taking a break from their walk.
A man smiling and holding his rucksack while seated on a bench surrounded by trees.
The walking group posing for a photo near a signpost at Rufford Abbey, smiling after their walk.
Group of walkers making their way down a leafy path, passing a large moss-covered tree trunk.
A woman walking alone on a shaded woodland path, holding a bottle of water.

With the sun shining after a rainy spell, the group took to the lakeside paths at a gentler pace than usual, allowing everyone to soak in the sights and sounds of the park. Birds chirped overhead, squirrels darted through the trees, and there was plenty of relaxed conversation and laughter along the way.

The route was carefully chosen to suit a range of mobility needs, making the walk accessible and enjoyable for all. Activities like this are not only beneficial for physical health but also help reduce anxiety and boost mood through time spent in nature and meaningful social interaction.

Halfway through the walk, the group stopped at a quiet spot beside the lake to enjoy a packed lunch, kindly prepared by Janet at Enablement Care. The moment was calm and reflective – watching the ducks on the water while enjoying sandwiches and snacks outdoors.

VK, always full of energy, opted for a slightly longer walk with support, completing an extra loop before rejoining the group near the mill. Her enthusiasm is a great example of how we aim to meet individual needs within group activities.

Everyone returned to the minibus feeling relaxed and uplifted – a gentle reminder of how small moments in nature can have a big impact.

Please get in touch if you’d like more information about our sessions and how we support individuals with additional needs through active and inclusive outings.