Last year I commented to a neighbour on how lovely their hanging baskets looked and they explained how they’d bought them from the Stepping Stones Project in Skipton. I’d never heard of the group so decided to find out a bit more.

Apparently the group started in 1999 and is a day service for adults with learning disabilities. There are between 15 and 20 adults with learning disabilities on the project, all of whom are referred through social services and come on a part or full time basis. Others offer their time as volunteers. It strives to build the confidence of the vulnerable adults through gardening with the intention of enabling them to move on to different things. New skills are developed such as using a variety of equipment, including petrol lawn mowers and strimmers, which opens up new opportunities.

The Stepping Stones Project also encourages independence and attendees are encouraged and nurtured to enable them to access the group on their own using public transport. Skills to use in the home are also promoted, for instance cooking activities. The project is much more than a gardening group with long lasting effects on vulnerable people’s lives. The group is also interested in is other community groups, such as people with mental health issues so that it opens its doors in a sense and becomes more of a community-based project. Engaging in physical work, including working with plants can help people with a range of health issues.

My Neighbours Hanging Basket

The project is situated at the bottom of Aireville Park, which is really a wonderful setting near the canal. The site used to be a nursery but had become run down and overgrown and had to be completely renovated. The transformed area has a pond with a sensory area, a fruit and vegetable growing area and poly-tunnels for bedding plants, including hanging baskets.

The group has grown from strength to strength including having the brilliant  success for ‘Stepping Stones in Bloom’, beating 30 others in their category to win a Gold Award in the RHS Yorkshire in Bloom Competition.

So when you need hanging baskets give them a call and be ready to be amazed.

By Cathy Parry

Cathy Parry is the owner of two holiday cottages set alongside the picturesque River Wharfe. You can view them on her website www.riversidegrassington.co.uk and connect via Facebook www.facebook.com/RiversideGrassington.

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