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~ working together, growing
independence
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Tynedale Horticultural Service
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Providing training and work experience in
horticulture for people with learning disabilities and selling unusual plants
to the public in Tynedale, Northumberland, UK |
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July 2009 Welcome
to the THS website. THS provides training and
work experience in horticulture for adults with learning disabilities. We are
based at Ridley Hall, |
11am-3pm
on Thursdays until end of October
Flower beds at Ridley Hall : 10th
July 2009 |
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Updating of these pages is in progress… … apologies
for any outdated information. We hope you find
this website interesting – please send us your comments |
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Our mission statement: Working
together, growing independence THS
aims to: ·
offer the following services to adults with
learning disabilities living in Tynedale and with an interest in horticulture ·
offer training in horticultural skills, and
to work towards offering qualifications in horticulture ·
offer horticultural work experience that is
in itself rewarding, and which could be of value when seeking employment ·
promote growing independence for all who use
the service ·
promote good community links for all who use
our service ·
value and respect all individuals equally ·
provide experienced and professional support |
Rope bridge
at |
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Who uses the service: This
horticultural work-based service is open to adults with learning disabilities
living in Tynedale, and is accessed by referral from Northumberland Care
Trust’s Care
Management Service. Starting the day: An
average day at THS starts at 9.00am with a short staff meeting at the Lodge,
the small stone cottage at the gates of Ridley Hall where we are based. A
little later, between 9.15 & 9.30, service users arrive. At about 9.45
staff and service users have a short meeting to plan the day. This gives an
opportunity to discuss the work that needs to be done, and for people to
choose what they would like to do. It is also a time to bring people who are
part-time up to date on what has been happening. Work: There is a wide variety of work available at THS, and this
varies with the time of year. A more detailed description of the work is
given here. People working in
glasshouses, grounds or woodland during the morning come back down to the
Lodge for lunch at 12.00, return to work at 13.00, and finish at 15.30. THS
closes each day at 16.30. We do not usually work at weekends, although we do
attend a number of plant sales on Saturdays or Sundays – some at Ridley Hall,
and some at shows and fairs in the area – through the spring and summer. What do people get from the service? This will vary considerably from one individual to another, but we hope at least some of the following: Ø opportunity to acquire a range of practical horticultural skills Ø work skills, including time keeping, co-operation with others, team work, respect for others, reliability, commitment, pride in quality, etc. Ø independence skills, including initiative taking, decision making, sense of personal responsibility, working independently, traveling to and from the service independently, etc. Ø sense of belonging, membership of small “community” Ø sense of identity enhanced by work role Ø getting to know more people, better integration within the wider community, broadened horizons Ø increased self confidence Ø increased self esteem Share
payments: Service users do not receive a wage at the Unit,
but a proportion of sales is shared out in occasional share payments. Staff: There are one full time and three part time members of staff at THS, plus a manager who covers all three units, and 10 service users per day (24 per week). Transport: We arrange and pay for transport to enable people to access the service at THS. Some people travel on public transport, some in taxis, and some on a minibus. Social events: In addition to the horticultural work, we
occasionally arrange outings to other gardens, football and cricket matches
against the other Units, a summer open day and barbecue and a Christmas
lunch, and annually a three day trip to gardens further away (see out and about). Having a say: We hold monthly “Lodge” meetings involving
all staff and service users present on that day, and a wide range of topics
are discussed, minuted and acted upon. We also
produce a quarterly newsletter covering the 3 Units (Branching Out), with a
large proportion of the content written by service users. |
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There are two other Units managed alongside THS. These
are the original Unit – the Horticultural Skills Unit at |
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This was the
first of the three Units to be established. It was opened in January 1985 to
provide horticultural training and experience for adults with learning
disabilities. It has three full time staff, and offers a service to 16 people
per day. Several Units in the west country were visited when this Unit was
being set up, and of these, Kehelland Horticultural Centre
Ltd was the most influential example. The HSU at
Here are the
contact details: Horticultural
Skills Unit,
webpage: Hepscott Park HSU |
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This Unit was
originally managed by Earth Balance, a sustainability project, being set up
on the Earth Balance site in 1996. The Social Services Department took over
direct management in 1999 when Earth Balance encountered financial
difficulties. Sustainability remains an important theme, and the Unit has
organic status, entitled to use the Soil Association symbol. Plants and
vegetables are produced for sale. Horticultural training and experience is offered
to people with learning disabilities and people with mental health needs. We
offer a service to 18 people per day. Here are the
contact details:
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How to find us & how to contact us Tynedale Horticultural
Service is near the main A69 Newcastle to Map of THS, The Lodge, Ridley Hall Please send your comments This website
has already led to a number of enquiries about our service, from researchers
and from people interested in working with us. We would like to hear from
anyone who is interested in this site, and would be happy to send further
information. We would also be interested to hear of similar services
elsewhere. We are keen for people to find our site, so if you know of related
sites which might carry links to ours, please let us know. Please send
comments to the webmaster at: |
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Tynedale
Horticultural Service, The
Lodge, Ridley Hall, Tel : (01434) 344933 mobile: 07990793619
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Page last modified
: 16 July 2009