The Hargreaves Foundation supports Martineau Gardens

The Trustees of The Hargreaves Foundation are happy to announce that funding has been allocated to Martineau Gardens, an organically-managed therapeutic community garden and woodland close to Birmingham city centre.

For over 20 years, Martineau Gardens have delivered a Therapeutic Horticulture programme for vulnerable adults and are now a major provider in the city. This extensive experience makes them well-placed to provide a programme for young people whose neurodevelopmental differences or exclusion from education denies them access to traditional work experience.

Their Therapeutic programme for young people caters to two different audiences; the first strand of their programme supports students from local special schools, giving them the opportunity to engage in weekly horticultural activities during term time; the second strand of their programme supports young people aged 16-25, who have additional support needs, gain access to work experience. These young people work alongside the adults who attend the main Therapeutic Horticulture Programme and are fully integrated as part of the group.

Funding from The Hargreaves Foundation will be used to employ and train dedicated staff to support these young people in a safe, inclusive, natural environment. Under supervision, the students will complete horticultural tasks tailored to their ability levels, including plant propagation, watering and potting-up. The young people on the programme enjoy the sessions immensely, and this translates into them being calmer and better able to self-regulate their behaviour. This not only benefits the students but also their families and teachers when they return to their home and school environments.