We will provide and promote a therapeutic community garden for all people in the Bro Ddyfi area, and especially those at risk of social exclusion.

Aims

• To promote and achieve health and wellbeing outcomes in the community using gardening, horticulture and related activities
• To facilitate educational courses
• To facilitate activities enabling participants to gain the benefits of being active in the outdoors
• To achieve the integration of volunteers in future planning of the Plas grounds
• To support, develop and achieve life skills and opportunities for all through horticulture
• To enable social inclusion by reducing barriers to community participation
• To develop a therapeutic environment
• To work with nature to increase biodiversity and practice organic gardening principles in balance with wildlife
• To develop a sense of belonging within the community and celebrate the community
• To liaise and work with the Town Council and other organizations in furthering their aims for an active and sustainable community

Objectives

• To train 8+ new trainees annually in horticulture
• To work with 4+ new volunteers annually
• To set up a referral service to 2 local GP practices, the Community Psychiatric Team and the Youth Offending Team.
• To run 2 community events annually in the garden

Ethos

Through activities, courses and day to day involvement, the community garden project may enable people to improve their fitness, mobility and mental health, develop social skills and gain horticultural skills and possibly qualifications.  Gardening can be sociable and confidence building and is an accessible activity for everyone.

Horticulture as a therapy differs from other therapies in that it works with living entities which have their own needs and requirements. Through nurturing these entities, people become involved in something outside of themselves and this process can help them feel less isolated and more connected with the social and natural world, as well as developing a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Gardening and, more generally, being active outdoors, is scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and stress. 

What we will offer

1.Opportunities for voluntary work (gardening, conservation etc.)

2.Opportunities for physical exercise

3.Opportunities for wild play

4.Routes and opportunities for arts and crafts activities

5.Routes to education, training and paid work
,

6.Organic /wildlife growing courses

7.Some plant sales (amenity gardening)

Who will Benefit

• All users of the Plas including visitors to the area
• Vulnerable adults
• Adults with physical and sensory needs
• Adults with mental health issues
• Young people and young people’s groups
• Families and pre-school groups
• Older people and older people’s groups
• Adult learning groups

Organisations Involved

Partner organizations

• Ecodyfi
• Mentro Allan Bro Ddyfi
• Machynlleth Town Council and the Plas Committee
• Communities First Bro Ddyfi
• Dyfed-Powys Police and Powys Neighbourhood Policing Team
• Machynlleth Youth Club
• Bro Ddyfi Youth Forum
• Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust

Others consulted/involved/to be invited to use the area

• Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens
• Community Psychiatric Nurses
• Machynlleth Nursery
• Cartref Dyfi
• Environment Wales
• CAMAD
• Bro Ddyfi Transition Initiative
• Home education group leader
• Centre for Alternative Technology
• Dyfi Valley Seedsavers
• Powys Youth Offending Team
• Powys Training
• Ysgol Bro Ddyfi
• Ysgol Gynradd Machynlleth
• Teenzone
• Football Club
• Rugby Club
• Disability Powys
• Neighbouring land owner
• RSPB
• Canolfan Integredig i Blant (Bro Ddyfi) Integrated Children’s Centre

The project will be managed by a constituted committee of volunteers with various interests in the community, who will meet regularly to plan, monitor and finance activities and develop a 10 year plan

• The project will remain a member of the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens, who provide support and guidance at a national level
• Membership to the committee and meetings will be open to all volunteers, course members, and representatives of partner organizations and organizations using the garden
• Members, partners, users and funders will be kept in touch by newsletter
• Specific projects will be grant funded and others will be revenue funded via health and research streams (e.g. Mentro Allan)
• An annual maintenance programme will be agreed with the Plas Committee and this will be professionally led by staff with the assistance of course members and volunteers