Mudlarks Community Garden
Cromwell Road Allotments
Hertford SG13 7DP

Where plants and people grow

Cromwell Road hours are
9:30am to 3:00pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday

For further information please contact Vic Hobson on
07835 714766
or
vic@mudlarksgarden.org.uk

1. To enable people of all abilities to learn and work together.

2. To work with local individuals, organisations and groups to carry out environmental projects.

3. To raise awareness of the need to protect and conserve our environment.

4. To offer opportunities for training and work experience.

First hand experience of the needs of people who have learning difficulties together with research undertaken by Mudlarks, Earthworks St.Albans and other concerned groups has highlighted a great need for a facility in the Hertford area that offers opportunities for training and work experience in land based skills.

The garden aims to facilitate access to the 'normal' means by which people can meet their needs e.g.through work, social networks, social activities etc. A good social network positively influences a person's mood, and therefore makes them less anxious and enhances their quality of life. Gardening is not a treatment, but a means of promoting health by strengthening an individual's self-esteem and confidence. It also strengthens communities by reducing stigma, prejudice and alienation.

Mudlarks is built on the belief that

1. Involvement with the earth, the seasons and living things provides enrichment and enjoyment and develops an appreciation of life in a new dimension.

2. People of all abilities learning and working together is the best way to enrich people's lives, develop social and practical skills and create community.

Therefore

Members of the general public and people who have learning difficulties must be given the opportunity to learn and work together.

3. People function best when working in an environment in which their views are taken into account and where their skills and experiences are valued to the full.

Therefore

People of all abilities must be encouraged to share in decision making and creative ideas and practice.

Also, that people with learning difficulties, however severe their problems:

4. Have the same rights and responsibilities as anyone else.

Therefore

They must be provided with the education, training and support they require to take their responsible place in the community.

5. Are members of the community and have their own unique contribution to make to their community.

Therefore

They must be provided with the opportunities, encouragement and support needed to help them make their contribution.

6. Have the same value as other citizens

Therefore

They must be accorded that respect to which all members of the community are entitled.

Mudlarks will apply for day care money, charitable grants and specific grants for funding buildings, tools, equipment and improvement projects.

Funding of the leadership team salaries and general running will rely on recurring day care money from Adult Care Services and similar bodies, as well as generated income.

a) To create a natural environment where participants can experience and be absorbed into a different lifestyle and routine

b) To provide a stable and stimulating work orientated unit

c) To provide a wide variety of indoor and outdoor work opportunities allowing participants the chance to achieve work satisfaction and to acquire knowledge and skills that will help them in the future

d) To give participants the opportunity to become involved in their community through taking part in local work projects.

e) To give participants the opportunity to take responsibilities within the work environment, for example as team leaders.

f) To give participants the opportunity to improve themselves and to discover their strengths and limitations.

g) To encourage participants to work together, to respect other people and to have respect for, and to appreciate, the environment in which they live and work.

h) To maximise the potential through training and practical work experience, for participants to progress into further employment.

i) To enable participants to become involved in decisions affecting the running and development of Mudlarks.

j) To provide a friendly service to all visitors and give advice and information as requested

k) To build up efficient communications with everyone who seeks to make a better life for people who have a learning difficulty.

l) To identify the training and other needs of all salaried and volunteer members of the leadership team and to ensure that these needs are met.

m) To develop instruments for assessment and methods of accreditation.

Wildlife Management outlines our views on the proactive management of the allotment to encourage a variety of beneficial wildlife. It also clarifies our current opinion on issues such as organic and sustainable horticultural methods.