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ActivGardens Placements

Framework provider of day, evening and weekend activities for people with learning disabilities and autism

ActivGardens offers placements and volunteering opportunities for young people and adults of all abilities, with facilities for wheelchair users.

We offer a range of horticultural activities in the safe, welcoming environment of the People’s Community Garden and/ or Chantry Walled Garden, at a pace to suit the individual.

We have plenty of under-cover tasks in our extensive glasshouses, growing plants for Ipswich Borough Council and other clients.

We also run a plant nursery, open to the general public, specialising in plants which are good for pollinators and wildlife-friendly gardening.

People taking part in our project can tend their own mini veg plot, or help maintain our extensive flower and vegetable-growing borders across both sites.

In addition to gardening, you can take part in beekeeping, conservation, specialist workshops and events, including our produce market and community café.

Both gardens have a tea room for a cuppa and a chat, and areas for crafts and IT.

ActivSheds is a workshop for woodwork and construction activities, such as making hedgehog homes, bird boxes and insect hibernacula.

Both gardens have opportunities for wheelchair users to get involved.

Although there is no pressure on people to undertake qualifications, we do offer opportunities for keen gardeners to work towards AQA certificates in horticulture and related topics.

No experience of gardening is required, but we ask our participants and their support workers to come dressed in gear suitable for gardening (ie not best or new clothes and coats) - waterproofs/ warm gear in winter; hat and long sleeves with sun protection in summer. You are advised to wear Personal Protective Equipment - usually safety boots and gloves. We do have gear to lend, but participants might like to bring their own.

Sessions are supervised by staff with qualifications in horticulture and teaching, as well as relevant experience of working in social care and/ or with people with complex needs. They are supported by key volunteers.

Who to contact

Name: Susannah Robirosa
Position: ActivGardens Development Manager
Telephone: 01473 345350 (main office)
07530 407302 (Susannah Robirosa)
Email: susannah@activlives.org.uk
Website: ActivLives
Social Media: Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Where to go

Name

Various Venues

Area served

Ipswich

Parking available

Yes

Parking details

Parking for the People’s Community Garden is on surrounding roads or at the CRESS Pavilion, when open. Please phone ahead for disabled access onto allotment site. Parking for the walled garden is in the public car park in Chantry Park - from Hadleigh Road, turn into the park and then right at the top of the driveway, as you face the mansion, and right again into the car park. From the car park, turn right and follow the wall through the park to a wooden orchard gate leading to a boardwalk, which leads through a green iron gate into the walled garden itself. There are regular buses which stop right outside the site (Number 91 Sudbury bus and Ipswich buses go as far as Dickens Road). The site is a pleasant walk across the park from residential areas the other side of London Road and off Hadleigh Road. For disabled parking, please call Susannah on 07530 407302.

Transport

Regular bus services stop near both gardens.

Restrictions to access

No transport is available but we can help with an application to Suffolk Community Transport.

Notes

People’s Community Garden, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE

Chantry Walled Garden, Chantry Park, Hadleigh Road, Ipswich, IP2 0BS

Location https://activlives.org.uk/activgardens/peoples-community-garden/

http://activlives.org.uk/activgardens/chantry-walled-garden/location/

Days & Times

Mon- Fri
Time of day: Morning
Session Information: 10am to 2pm Bespoke/ one to one sessions can be organised
by arrangement.

Other details

Table of costs

Table of costs
Amount	Cost Type
55	Under 2 – daily rate
65
125

Cost Details

Cost for staff-led sessions tailored to individual ability • Supported volunteering - with own support worker/ personal assistant £35 per day • With ActivLives support as part of a group – £60 per day • With ActivLives one to one support: £125 per day

Referral required?

Age Groups

16-25 years, Adults, Young people

Accessibility

Disabled Parking, Wheelchair Access

Accreditation details

We are accredited as a service provider by Suffolk County Council on its Framework for the Provision of Adult Care Services, Learning Disabilities, Day, Evening, Weekend and Planned Breaks, CD1241

Notes

On a first visit, you will be shown around and meet our friendly staff team and volunteers. If you would like to try us out, you will be invited for a taster session, entirely free. If you would like to attend on a regular basis, an induction day will be set up, when our Skills Trainer will have an informal chat to find out the sort of activities you might enjoy, as well as register you to the project and take you through a health and safety induction. An Individual Risk Assessment will be carried out if necessary.

Dress for outdoor work - we go ahead whatever the weather so please dress accordingly! You might like to bring your own gloves and safety boots, although we do have some to lend. Bring a packed lunch if you are staying for the day. We have basic facilities to heat up food, as well as tea and coffee-making facilities. There are local shops in walking distance of the sites.