Wish List

Specialised Tools

'Disability is part of everyday life varying in degree, diversity and distribution and will more than likely affect most people to a greater or lesser extent at some point in their lives. It is estimated that there are between 8.3 and 11.7 million people in the UK with a disability or impairment that is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act. Some facts:

4 million people in the UK have a mobility impairment
25% of UK households have a disabled member
2% of UK householders have a member who uses a wheelchair
5% of cars bought in the UK each year are for use by people with disability'

Source http://www.sportengland.org/disabled.pdf

Long reach cultivator

Add on handels

Long reach trowel

'Just because a person is disabled doesn’t mean that gardening cannot be a worthwhile pastime. Many enjoyable hours can be had if the appropriate tools are used, providing endless hours of pleasure and reward. Whatever your situation, take every opportunity to get out from the confines of your house and into your garden. You don’t have to spend too much time at each session but just do as much as you can so that your disability does not become uncomfortable. Disabled gardening and if you are a wheelchair user, gardening can be achieved with the use of tools that are designed for people in the sitting position. You don't always have to have 'raised beds' to be a gardener. It is also possible for people with back problems and those paralysed on one side to enjoy gardening from a non-bending position, especially helpful tools for the disabled include the attachable extension type, quick release tools, adjustable cushioned handles, ratchet and pulley action and the use of sturdy but lightweight components. These lightweight tools are usually made from aluminium alloy, carbon fibre or plastic and are therefore easy to use, even if they have long handles.Tools should be efficient, comfortable, easy to use and long lasting.'

Source http://www.gardentoolsforallseasons.com/disabled

In the future, when we have secured funding, Mudlarks will make every effort to make the site accessible for people of all abilities. This will include appropriate access and parking, toilet and washing facilities, signage, heating and lighting.

The provision of suitable and adapted items of equipment and gardening tools is a vital requirement.

Trainees and Volunteers who have difficulty in using an item should be provided with a suitable substitute. These are readily available and often no more expensive than the 'standard' alternatives.

There will not be a need to retain a huge number of one style of tool as even when working in a team of six only two people would be using a particular tool type. It is important, however, to be able to include everybody in all aspects of the work so there may be a number of variations of that tool needed at Mudlarks.

Without these resources some participants are restricted to being spectators or performing the same task endlessly, such as watering and wheelbarrowing.

Snappers

Grabba rake

Telescopic weeding knife