Making a lottie for the disabled

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi everyone.
I went to my first site committee meeting last night, and one of the chaps come up with an idea for a wasted plot on our site. We would like to make it into a community site for the local disabled including children. Has anyone got any ideas, or knows of any other websites that have any ideas?
Many thanks, in advance for your help.
Bernie aka Dexterdog

[SarzWix]

Don't know much myself, but you could try

http://www.thrive.org.uk/

they support gardening as therapy for disabled/disadvantaged

[rustylady]

I would think access - you need wide, level paths. Raised beds with plenty of space between (again for access). Fast growing crops (especially for children). Sensory beds (especially herbs, distinctive feels and smells) no way am I an expert, but when you are talking about disabled/disadvantaged people you need to think about lots of things apart from mobility issues. Sight and hearing to name but two. The main thing I get from my garden and allotment (apart from stuff to eat) is a sense of peace, and I think this is really important. Space to sit and look, smell and feel needs to be considered, as well as the opportunity to actually do some work if they feel like it. Best of luck - I think this is a really worthwhile project.

[Snadger]

I would think access - you need wide, level paths. Raised beds with plenty of space between (again for access). Fast growing crops (especially for children). Sensory beds (especially herbs, distinctive feels and smells) no way am I an expert, but when you are talking about disabled/disadvantaged people you need to think about lots of things apart from mobility issues. Sight and hearing to name but two. The main thing I get from my garden and allotment (apart from stuff to eat) is a sense of peace, and I think this is really important. Space to sit and look, smell and feel needs to be considered, as well as the opportunity to actually do some work if they feel like it. Best of luck - I think this is a really worthwhile project.

Not much I could add to that MOM!

Sounds like a brilliant idea Dexter but a lot of work entailed initially. Deffo worth contacting someone officially (don't know who though?) as there will probably be grants available and it sounds like a worthy productive project for some youth opportunity or other external organisation to get involved in!

[muckdiva]

Great idea Dexter, hope you get plenty of support with it

[Alice]

I think Rustylady's got it. You need wide paths for wheelchair access and raised beds. Can maybe contribute something in more detail if it comes to fruition. Good luck with the project. Well worth while.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Thanks everyone. Any advice gratefully received. Bernie

[yoanbob]

BRILLIANT IDEA! have you considered mentally ill, think you would get help with that too, did you see the blind gardener on T.V. a few weeks ago? he had an allotment and had these wooden meauring sticks to see how far apart he had planted stuff and knew everything else was weeds, maybe a braille plan as well as a normal one? the beds would need to be very high for wheelchair access and not as wide, but i guess you thought of that.
good luck!

[Hazel at the Hill]

REALLY brightly coloured flowers - 'registered blind' does not always mean 'can't see anything at all'.
Feathery grasses which swish in the wind and feel gorgeous too.

[Splinter]

Hi Dexterdog,

Hope all is good with you and sounds a fantastic idea. I did a similar project in a drugs rehab I used to work in. It was really important for the clients to have some relaxtion or to gain a sense of space from the every day, which is something my allotment does for me.

I would suggest that you consult with groups or individuals you are trying to include on your plot. They would be able to tell you what they want planted, what they would hope to get out of it and be able to explain ways around providing access etc. It would be important to include and involve people from the start and you could all develop and learn together.

I work with young homeless people and have applied for loads of grants for community projects. In my expeience the funding bodies tend to be more giving if you can show that you have researched the project and there is a definate need from the disabled community, how it would benefit the whole community and that there is as much involvement as possible.

Hope this helps you are more than welcome to give me a shout if you want anymore info etc.

Take care,

Splinter

[Digger-07]

DDL - sorry to join so late but the site I was on in Leyland gave over a few plots to disabled groups. All worked well for a time but then the "organisers" failed to turn up and left their "clients" pretty much on their own. Some of the plot holders gave time to keep the thing up and running but it turned out that the funding for the scheme (ie paying the bloke to look after the group!) had been cut and even though the plot cost nothing the bloke would not do anything without payment to look after the clients. It ran for a couple more years but everyone got a bit fed up of Social Services not giving any help and even making things difficult by finding H&S, insurance, transport (we couldn't arrange to pick anyone up and give them a lift to site), Criminal Records Bureau check (for everyone who might come into contact with any member of the group) and even toilet problems. Even though Social Services were not taking an active positive interest they still objected to most initiatives and eventually their clients just stopped coming.

Don't get me wrong, it's a great idea to involve the whole community but just watch out for the red tape and lack of interest from anyone who should care about the people they look after!!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Thanks everyone - the more info/advice we can get the better, so please feel free to keep them coming. Bernie

[cherrycoop]

Community Allotment

Hi we have built a community allotment with specific requirements for disabled people. This has been in use now for two years and one thing that we did not cater for was shelter. We have just raised further funds and will be putting up a summerhouse to provide shelter. Wish I had the clicknology to be able to reduce the size of photos so I could show you! However if the administrator wants to e-mail me I will be happy to share these photos. Good luck - it is such a reqarding experience however one word of warning - you will have to commit to maintaining the plot for quite some time.

[dinky_doo]

get in touch with any local groups and schools to see if they are interested and get some input off them
good luck with it

[nick the grief]

Have a look on the ARI website I think they have a bit about this - can't remember. ALso See if you have a loca Agenda21 rep on the council as I think they may be able to help you as well.

Access is the big thing as by definition these guys with physical disabilities aren't as mobile so they can't really make do with an 18" grass path you need a good 2 or 3 feet and I would suggest concrete would be better than slabs as they can sink and become uneven.

HDRA have disabled garden at Ryton and I must admit I thought about it myself to save on the old back !! so try dropping them an e-mail I'm sure they will give you some advice.

Good luck with it DDL a worthy project and I'm sure you can get loads of funding to help with the costs.