Community project has growing gains
JUST along Rotten Row in Southport, there’s a magical ‘secret’ garden bringing love, learning and happiness to people’s lives.
New Leaf is part of an innovative community project facilitated by Sefton Council and under the management of New Directions - a company which provides day services, long-term residential care and community projects.
Their mission statement is centred around two key principles: to enable people to stay in their homes for longer and to facilitate the ‘best possible quality of life’ for the people they support, their carers and their families.
New Leaf is a multi-activity garden centre which helps support adults with learning and physical disabilities. It encourages adults to apply new practical gardening skills, thus enabling them to improve their confidence and well-being and provide a sense of achievement.
The project provides a welcoming, outdoor learning environment and includes numerous green-fingered activities such as seeding, growing, weeding and sowing.
People are encouraged to involve themselves in the whole life cycle of gardening and eventually sell plants at their garden centre.
There is so much to see and engage with in this little oasis of greenery. There are gardens, polytunnels, a Victorian greenhouse and wildlife and wildflower meadows to tend and explore.
People can also create garden crafts, furniture, planters and things to sell, using recycled items which are donated by members of the community.
Stuart is the activity lead at New Leaf. He said: “Our main focus is supporting adults with learning disabilities to enjoy working in the horticultural environment.
“It’s all about building relationships, learning new skills, spending time outdoors and interacting with the public when they come in. Anyone that comes in and buys our plants or crafts and woodwork, all that money goes back into project.
“Above all, we want to make sure everyone has an enjoyable day and we’re always looking for new people to come along and join in.”
Julian Brown comes every Wednesday and looks forward to seeing his friends and work colleagues. He said: “I’ve been coming here a long time.
“My favourite thing is to be with my friends and helping the plants grow together – especially
ABOVE: Stuart Heffy (Activity Lead), middle, with Geoff and Julian. INSET: Mijan
on a sunny day like this.”
Julian loves to speak about gardening and enjoys the other work they do maintaining the site such as painting doors and fixing furniture.
He said: “Seeing the plants come through is quite interesting and I like seeing the end result.
“I also love growing things for my mum and taking them home to surprise her.”
Taking a tour of the grounds is the only way to see everything that goes on at New Leaf and it’s clear to see the passion and pride people like Stuart and Julian have about their project. The ethos is definitely centred around collaboration and everyone tends to chip in together as well as seeing through their own tasks.
Jason also attends regularly and is quick to talk up New Leaf when asked about his visits. Jason also enjoys a specialist role and as his mates start the seeding process, Jason is eager to get out the watering can for the planted areas.
Jason said: “It’s really nice here. I like the plants but my favourite thing is watering everything.”
As we walk back to the reception area, Stuart sums up what New Leaf is all about for himself.
He said: “It’s so fulfilling watching all the plants grow but my big fulfilment, my real joy is working with the guys and the happiness I get supporting them.”
To find out more about New Leaf and New Directions - or if you want to get involved - visit their website: https://ndirections.co.uk/newleaf-3/