Growing skills at Community Garden Centre

Macclesfield Community Garden Centre continues to go from strength to strength, as local MP, David Rutley, saw for himself on a recent visit.

Set within the grounds of West Park, the Garden Centre is a social enterprise giving adults with learning disabilities the opportunity to gain valuable employment experience and a variety of skills in a supported environment. Trainees have the opportunity to learn horticulture, woodwork and arts and crafts and, over time, can take on other responsibilities within the Garden Centre.

On his visit, David met with staff and volunteers from the Garden Centre, as well as many of its trainees, to hear about its work over the past year and its plans for the future. This includes helping even more disabled adults to reach their potential.

As well as support and training, the Garden Centre has a shop on site where members of the public can purchase plants and crafts that are produced by its trainees. The shop is open between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and all the money raised by the Garden Centre goes back into this excellent social enterprise.

David said, “I was very impressed to see the continued good work being done at Macclesfield Community Garden Centre to help its trainees develop their potential, learn new skills and gain the confidence they need to live happy and more independent lives. I will continue to actively support this important social enterprise, which is a real asset to the local community, going forward.”