I came to see the work of a wonderful charity today. Northdale Horticulture provides training and work-based activities for adults with learning disabilities across the Hambleton and Richmondshire districts of North Yorkshire.
Members have a variety of activities available to them: garden nursery work, landscape gardening, woodwork and arts and crafts. Throughout the day the emphasis is on work and work-based activities which provide purpose and direction to the members and are not found in a typical care environment. Furthermore, by be being able to generate a little extra income from the work, the charity helps fund itself and keep costs low for members.
Since visiting the charity, I have come to realise how well-regarded it is across the constituency, with people coming from afar to buy things for their gardens. Northdale has a large volunteer base, team members that have been there for years and years, and a wonderful nurturing culture – all in all it was an uplifting visit to a great local charity.