the oakwood gardens
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We are passionate about creating practical and sustainable environments for people to gain confidence and find purpose. It's even better when those environments provide different training options at every stage of development...
Starting with just a 1400sqm grassy patch, our Teesside Hub Learners have been creating an accessible allotment space, with raised beds, poly-tunnels and a herb garden.
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There's opportunities to learn hard and soft landscaping skills, as paving is laid and crops established. The produce, grown from seed, is harvested and used by those on our Hospitality training programmes, as they prepare meals for the community. Any left, is donated to the local Community Grocery...it's our own little eco-system!
In the future, we hope to open the space to more local people - sharing the positive benefits gardening can have on both peoples' health and their connection with the environment.
Current opportunities
At present, the garden is home to three opportunities:
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Gardening skills - Our 4 week, work-based training programme for people over 18 years​
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Pathway to employment - A legacy from the Greenlife Project, this is our 4 week programme for people with convictions who are keen to move forward
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Composting for change - Our 8 week programme for care-experienced young people
To register your interest in either opportunity, call 01642 781313 or email us.
Composting for change
A fully-funded opportunity for
care-experienced young people to build their skills and feel confident about taking practical climate action.
The Oakwood Gardens has received huge support from local businesses and funders, with donations of materials and equipment. To date, we'd like to thank:
Marshalls | The Goshen Trust | Wilkinsons Landscapes | FES Group Ltd | Eyre & Elliston
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Our Composting for change project is funded through a grant from the Energy Saving Trust Foundation’s Youth Climate Action Fund, which is part funded by Airbnb.