£300,000 Lotto joy for gardeners

Green-fingered trainees are getting to the root of a new hobby and making friends, thanks to £300,000 of Lottery funding.

Aged between 18 and 30, young adults who have a learning disability or are on the autism spectrum are learning new skills in the garden or in the kitchen through projects being delivered by Fair Deal.

Volunteers Gillian Feighery and Nikki Cross are passing on their horticultural skills at the Jeelie Garden in Castlemilk, while Amanda McLellan is teaching trainees how to cook and bake at the Kinning Park Complex.

Up to 40 young people are taking part in the latest projects following the award of phase 2 Lottery funding over the course of three years.

The free project gives participants the opportunity to gain an accreditation – the Caley Grow and Learn Award for Horticulture or the REHIS food hygiene award.

Help Yourself Grow team leader Gail Cochrane explained: “We work with some people who have budgets and after their initial year’s training, they can use these budgets to buy into activities in year two and onwards.

“In addition to accreditation, their involvement builds confidence, helps people to communicate and gives them experience of working with teams.

“And, probably most importantly, it helps people to make friends.”

Fair Deal is encourage anyone who is interested in becoming a trainee to get in touch.

Similarly, the organisation in Castlemilk is appealing for volunteers who have an interest in gardening or experience in horticulture and would be able to donate a few hours of their time.

Volunteers from Neighbourhood Networks have done just that, and Gail says she’s indebted to Adrian McKill and the team for inspiring the project’s participants.

In addition, it wants to hear from anyone who is interested in joining the organisation as a support worker.

“We believe that there are local people who would make ideal support workers, however maybe haven’t thought about it as a career option,” said Gail.

Email Gail at GailCochrane@fair-deal.org or call her on 07901 622379 for details.