Croydon Mencap's green fingers go a long way

Most gardeners wish they had an extra pair of hands. Well, Anne Green has 12 each Tuesday.

Croydon Mencap's Leslie Park Project gets young adults with learning disabilities involved in leisure activities in the community.

Each week, a green-fingered group works on 72-year-old Anne's garden in Greenhill Avenue, Caterham.

So far, the paths have been spruced up, flowerbeds edged and a rockery built – but there's plenty more to do.

Anne used to volunteer at the Treetops Children's Centre, run by Mencap, in Coombe Road, Croydon.

Alice Evans, coordinator of the Leslie Park Project, was delighted to offer her services when she heard Anne could use some gardening help.

"The project enhances the lives of people with learning disabilities aged approximately 18 to 35," Alice explained. "Our activities help improve the members' daily living skills in a relaxed and sociable environment.

"We have members with mild to severe learning disabilities. This can include Down's syndrome, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, epilepsy and challenging behaviour.

"Some members also have impaired vision and/or hearing.

"Anne gave us free reign over the garden so it's a great creative opportunity.

"We are hoping to hold barbecues and garden parties in the fruits of our labour – when the weather improves."

The project began in August 2005 and is run from Mencap Croydon's offices in Leslie Park Road, Croydon.

As well as Tuesday gardening, the members bowl, do arts and crafts, play team games and hold discussion groups.

There are 26 members of the Project, which runs from Monday to Friday.

Members usually attend between two and four days a week, depending upon their needs.

Referrals for new members must come through Croydon Social Services, but the project is almost at capacity - at around 13 members per day.

Vanessa Hosford, chief executive of Croydon Mencap, said: "Another aim of the project is to provide support and respite for parents of young adults with learning disabilities.

"The Leslie Park Project helps our members develop practical and useful skills.

"Seeing the results of their hard work is so gratifying for our members and really builds team morale."

Project member Louise Collier, 36, from Waddon, said: "I like sweeping up, weeding and tidying the back garden."

Anne gets as much pleasure from the work as the project's members do.

She said: "They're such a great group of people and a wonderful incentive to get myself out there in the sunshine.

"It isn't always about work – sometimes if it rains we just sit in and play games. They're a really considerate bunch."

The Leslie Park Project is funded by Croydon Social Services, but each individual member is financially assessed for eligibility.

For further information contact Alice Evans at Croydon Mencap on 020 8662 9201.