Learning Disabilities Children's Activities Mission Statement Interim Labour Market Contract Work

Learning Disabilities

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Walworth Garden Farm is set on one acre of land. It has beautifully maintained flowerbeds growing a large variety of plants. We grow organic fruit, vegetables and have two beehives producing honey. The farm has a wildlife area with a pond and the site has an abundance of wildlife.

Together with a large greenhouse, two polytunnels and a potting shed. The main building houses the classroom, toilets and offices. All staff are highly trained, helpful and friendly. The Horticultural Therapy Group carry all sorts of gardening tasks at the Farm, propagating plants from cuttings and seed, growing fruit and vegetables which the group members get to eat.

We teach the the group how to use garden tools, including power tools - correctly and safely - and we do general garden maintenance. Through the winter months when things are a bit quieter outside we work in the greenhouse and polytunnels, practicing a few crafts such as simple carpentry, making birdboxes and plant troughs, floristry, creating Christmas decorations and various other indoor activities.

The horticultural group meet every Monday and Friday, from 9.30 - 3.30pm. There are a total of five adults in the group. It is relaxed and friendly, individual attention is available for group members to work at their own pace.

 

Children's Activities y up

"Plants for environmental teaching & learning" PETL. "connecting kids with nature".

The programmes address

The education project goal is to provide innovative environmental education (EE) services to Southwark schools. These services should reflect the Walworth Garden Farm's commitment to the principles of organic horticulture and further the Farm's mission to promote and support sustainable development in the Borough.

g enrichment of primary school science instruction through classroom activities and teacher training/support.

g development of community involvement in sustainable development through out-of-school hours programmes in schools.

g promotion of principles of organic horticulture and healthy diet through holiday play schemes.

g establishing effective organic gardening activities in urban, underachieving schools in order to improve student understanding and achievement in science.

g increasing teacher knowledge about plants and their importance to the environment and about the nature of scientific enquiry.

g creating a forum for co-operation and collaboration between students and teachers in schools involved in the PETL project.

g developing sustainable environmental education practices in co-operation with teachers and schools.

	Interim Labour Market
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The Interim Labour Market scheme compliments the NVQ Training course. It is agreed that it is unrealistic to hope that all trainees will gain full-time work after completing the NVQ course, a transition period is desirable. The Interim Labour Market scheme serves this charitable purpose.
Our success so far has been to employ five ex-trainees during the summer months (though not full-time) 2 have now found full-time employment elsewhere. This was the beginning of the project to run an Interim Labour Market scheme.
The project is self-supporting and will make money to support other farm activities such as a summer play scheme. It extends the flexibility of the farm. As the NVQ training scheme is always at the whim of future funding - so, a fall back in times of change.

 

 

 

 

Contract Work
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What We Offer		Why you should choose us
A regular Maintenance service. Plant supply and installation. All aspects of turf care Bedding schemes and container planting. Site upgrading and clearance. Attending to damaged areas - immediate response to vandalism.		We are a new idea in a back to work initiative. A scheme providing real opportunities. We train and employ our own City and Guild Qualified gardeners. We have the know how and resources plus a confident and enthusiastic team able to supply a high standard of work.
Who we are
Walworth Garden Farm is based in Southwark. It is a registered charity and has been established for over twelve years. For the past six years we have trained unemployed people to become City and Guilds qualified gardeners.		The key to the long term success of any designed or semi natural landscape scheme lies in continued effective maintenance. We have a sympathetic understanding of design concepts and will maintain the visual impact originally intended in a scheme.
Last year we established a landscape division to provide a high quality maintenance service employing some of our former trainees. Since the team was formed we have built up a range of contracts, including schools, residential homes and a large office development in Hammersmith. We now have more trained people and are looking for new work.		We feel that it is important to address the issues raised by Agenda 21, such as sustainability and bio diversity, and the hidden benefits of reconnecting people with nature. Landscapes can make enormous impact on the social fabric of society. Poor maintenance sends out negative messages.
Our Mission Statement
		yup
"To work with the local community to increase the understanding of organic and ecological issues, to contribute to sustainable development in London and to improve the local green environment"
We offer a work force which is directed towards achieving this objective.
Free costs and estimates on request		Walworth Garden Farm Manor Place Braganza Street London SE-17 3BN 0171 582 2652

	About Walworth Garden Farm Charity
	Meet the Team
	See the Events Calendar 2001
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