People and Places – grant recipient - Barnwood Trust

People and Places – grant recipient

A safe place to learn

People and Places in Gloucestershire is a not-for-profit organisation set up two years ago by occupational therapists Miranda Steele and Mac McHardy, who had previously worked together in the NHS.

It gives people with severe mental health problems, and those who have been on long-term incapacity benefit, the opportunity to gain work experience within a safe, supportive and relaxing environment.

A nurturing environment

The main focus of activity is a large allotment site.

This incorporates five or six plots, plus a greenhouse, fruit trees, a wildlife area planted with broad leaved native trees and wild flowers, a shelter made from living willow and several small vegetable patches, plus a pond and a bog area that attracts frogs and dragon flies.

Barnwood Trust provided funding for a group of people with severe and enduring mental health problems, such as depression, schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder to come and work on the allotment over a period of six months.

Along with fellow participants, they learnt about the natural world and how to sow, tend, pot on, and plant out vegetables to organic principles.

A chance to try new things

Intensive engagement in the early days encourages people to develop their confidence.

For example, the smaller vegetable beds can be dug, weeded and watered in a very short space of time:

‘We understand people’s functional limits’ explains Project Leader, Mac McHardy; ‘but with effort and help you can get a small plot done in two hours; not a daunting task.’

In the winter, or if the weather is bad, participants work on the hard landscaping, making paving slabs using moulds, putting down bark paths and doing repair work. And sometimes there are big jobs that require teamwork, such as getting the spuds in.

Building confidence

Once people have gained in confidence, they have the opportunity to take on more responsibility.

‘Some people have never been given trust and responsibilities before’ says Mac. What they get at People and Places is; ‘a real experience of what it’s like to come out and work without the pressure... [and] then use that experience to move on. It’s a step on the way.’

Another aspect of this is learning to cope with challenges – such as rabbits or slugs:

‘It’s always about overcoming things on allotments’ says Mac; ‘it’s about having determination and perseverance.’

Re-engaging with the world of work

People and Places also takes on some additional projects such as planting community gardens.

Together with work on the allotment, this can provide participants with that vital first step back into paid or voluntary work.

‘We do set goals’ says Mac; ‘we always have in mind what one would expect in a work situation. It’s about getting work skills, or back-to-work skills.’

May 2010 update: We have recently awarded People and Places an additional grant of £30,000 to set up a Pilot Kitchen Challenge. This is a food and enterprise activity for people with mental health problems. If you would like any further information about this their Director, Miranda Steele will be happy to help. Her contact number is 01242 521319, or email miranda@peopleandplacesglos.co.uk

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