Summary
Our project provided disabled children/young people, and their carers in North East Fife with a serene escape at St Andrews Botanic Garden. Here, they engaged in structured activities led by our Education team, fostering fun, relaxation, and connections.
What Growing Together did
Our project hosted seven half day events at St Andrews Botanic Garden, aimed at bringing families together in a serene atmosphere.
Each event offered structured activities, including interactive workshops showcasing seasonal changes in the garden's wildlife and flora. Our audience was recruited for these activities by working alongside organizations such as PAMIS. Participants, primarily disabled children, young people, and their caregivers, engaged in collaborative activities at their own pace, fostering relaxation and camaraderie.
During breaks, caregivers and parents seized the opportunity to connect over refreshments, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. Families then explored the garden independently, bonding and enjoying its offerings, including trails and nature walks. Each family received an annual Membership, providing them with continuous access to the garden throughout the year.
The project's success was rooted in its inclusive approach, catering to a range of abilities and creating a supportive environment for all participants. Positive feedback highlighted the importance of peer connections and the therapeutic value of nature.
What St Andrews Botanic Garden Trust has learned
The project delivery has provided us with invaluable insights into customizing activities, enabling us to accommodate diverse needs. This includes utilizing adaptations to facilitate physical activities for individuals with mobility challenges and establishing dedicated quiet spaces during sessions. Moreover, the project has shed light on areas within the garden requiring enhancement. As a result, we secured funding to conduct sensory and physical disability audits, paving the way for initiating improvement initiatives in these identified areas.
How St Andrews Botanic Garden Trust has benefitted from the funding
The funding has been transformative for our organization on multiple fronts. Firstly, it facilitated the establishment of a sustainable program and partnership framework, ensuring enduring support for families in need. This framework ensures our efforts transcend temporary fixes, leaving a lasting impact on our communities.
Moreover, the training provided to our team has been pivotal in enhancing their skills and knowledge. Equipped with these newfound capabilities, our team members can now better cater to diverse audiences, including those with assisted needs and caregivers, fostering a more inclusive environment at the garden. Additionally, our enhanced engagement strategies have expanded our reach beyond physical confines, enabling us to connect with individuals through online platforms. This broader outreach allows us to extend our services to previously underserved communities, strengthening our organization's capacity to serve our community more effectively and inclusively.
Project Outcomes
Outcome
The 10-15 children/young people will report that the project created opportunities for them to enjoy activities together and will have developed new friendships with other families taking part in activity sessions.
Results
The qualitative and quantitative evaluation gathered throughout this project indicates that the children/young people who took part felt that the project created opportunities for them to enjoy activities together and develop new friendships.
Case study
One of our valued participants was a teenage girl living with cerebral palsy. Her caregiver expressed that her mobility challenges often hindered her from partaking in traditional recreational activities, leading to occasional feelings of isolation despite her naturally outgoing demeanor.
Through the Growing Together project, tailored activities were provided, enabling her to engage alongside peers. From bug catching to fishing, apple squeezing to outdoor pursuits like wood chopping and campfire lighting — activities she particularly relished — she eagerly immersed herself in each session, deriving immense joy not only from the activities but also from the bonds she forged with her newfound friends.
Her involvement sparked the formation of a close-knit friendship circle. This group now convenes regularly in the garden, with the girl even choosing to celebrate her birthday at the Garden with her new companions. This heartening outcome underscores the project's profound impact, fostering both inclusivity and lasting connections among participants.
Outcome
The 10-15 carers will have spent an enjoyable time in the relaxing setting of the garden spending time as a family doing something fun and different from their everyday routine and use the garden as a regular place to spend time to relax and meet others.
Results
The evaluation findings reveal that carers have derived significant enjoyment from their experiences at the Garden, both during the sessions with their families and during independent visits. Many families continue to utilize their memberships, gathering in small groups for leisurely strolls and coffee meetups within the tranquil garden setting. Furthermore, numerous carers utilize their memberships to connect with others, fostering meaningful social interactions and support networks within the serene ambiance of the Garden.
Case study
Two carers expressed that the opportunity to chat while their children engaged in activities enabled them to forge a new friendship rooted in their shared passion for gardening. These two individuals had stated that they struggled to find time for non-care orientated activities but now frequently convene in the Garden, both accompanied by their families and during solo visits. Currently, they are actively participating in our 'Growing Veg Successfully' course, deepening their bond beyond the confines of care-oriented activities.
Outcome
The 10-15 carers will report that the activity sessions have had a positive impact on their mental health, providing them with time to have fun and relax and they will have formed new support relationships with others
Results
All the participants able to do so reported that the activity sessions had a positive impact on their mental health and that they had formed new support relationships with others.