Glendale has helped transform a community garden, in partnership with a charity that uses horticultural therapy to help people with autism, acquired brain injuries, learning disabilities and mental health conditions.
As part of the project, 20 trees have been planted and a new orchard created at the Bedworth Community Garden in the Miners Welfare Park, Bedworth, which is managed by the, not for profit charity, People in Action.
A team of four Glendale specialists cultivated soil before planting a range of fruit trees including apple, pear, damson, plum, quince and cherry, as well as donating materials and installing fences and gates to protect the garden.
People in Action, which is based in the Midlands, provides person-centred care and support for over 400 members of the community, enabling people to lead independent lives.
Its horticultural therapy scheme is one of the charity’s key services, creating opportunities for people to improve their mental health and wellbeing through gardening.
The charity also provides domiciliary care, residential services and training.
Barry Bolton, contract manager at Glendale, said: “Horticultural therapy is a well-known method of improving mental health, by stimulating the senses, reducing stress, enhancing cognitive function and promoting physical health.
“Community gardens provide people with a place to relax and make the most of the outdoors while getting the chance to learn more about the environment. By creating a new orchard filled with fruit trees, people will be able to have first-hand experience of the joy of growing their own produce.
“We’re happy to be able to support the great work that People in Action does in bringing people together and improving open spaces, something which is always a priority for Glendale.”