Together we will...
make a positive lasting improvement to the well-being of adults with learning difficulties
Together we will...
make a positive lasting improvement to the well-being of adults with learning difficulties
Tribute Bench for Cass MacDonald
A tribute bench was unveiled at The Green Wellie Garden Centre in memory of our dear friend and volunteer Cass MacDonald.
Michael Robertson who made the bench with the help of the Milton Men Shed. Carvings by Dave Sanderson.
5th November 2021 - a good day for a bonfire! Getting the team together outdoors at The Green Wellie for soup, curry, scones and cakes
Photos from The Green Wellie Open Day Saturday 16th October - Home of Blooming Gardeners
Some Very Sad News
We are so sorry to tell you that our lovely friend & volunteer Cass MacDonald has passed away. We love and miss her so much!!
Fiona Grant, our long-term Horticultural Trainer has a few words to say about her lovely friend...
I have a few words about my lovely friend and fabulous volunteer with our garden project, Cass.
She volunteered for about 8 years in our garden project for folks with learning disabilities. At first it was to get out the house and do something nice in a safe space. Very quickly Cass realised she loved working in the garden and enjoyed the company of our folks that were working there. As we all got to know each other she supported and encouraged the gardeners just the right amount, treating everyone as an individual - understanding and respecting their needs and desires.
Cass was lots of fun, bringing laughter and enthusiasm and a totally different perspective on life to our days. She became a really important person in our gardeners lives.
When we were under threat of closure from losing our NHS funding, Cass was adamant that we fight for the garden, giving us confidence that our work was worthwhile, not only for the gardeners but for others like herself who may cross our path.
Some of our gardeners would have come today to say goodbye but we have decided we would have a party at the garden for Cass because she would’ve liked that.
Fig rolls and oatcakes all round!
We miss her terribly but she is a part of our lives and we will always be talking about her during our extensive tea breaks.
We are all so sorry we won’t have her lovely company again, but she is in our hearts.
About Us
Our History
Blooming Gardeners was set up to take over the running of a garden project based in Invergordon, Ross-shire. This project has been running for over 20 years. Latterly it was being run by Highlife Highland for 15 years. In January 2019, NHS Highland withdrew the funding for the garden project and so Blooming Gardeners was created, thanks to the helping hands of our energetic committee and to some fantastic donations from Roy MacGregor and also from
Technip, (Evanton Spool Base)
and the amazing local community who helped raise over £6,000 of Crowd Funding!
Our Mission
Our focus is to maintain and improve the health and well-being of individuals with potential exclusion issues. We will do this through involvement in horticulture by providing:
> a safe and supportive environment to develop transferable skills and an increased sense of self-worth
> reducing isolation of individuals within the client group through opportunities to develop new and sustained friendships and improving their level of independence
> assisting the Client Group in developing awareness, understanding and
responsibility for their natural and social environment
> Encouraging social inclusion by involving volunteers and community groups in
horticultural and nature-based projects with the Client Group.
Our Team
Blooming Gardeners is run by a group of volunteers who are committed to helping others. We take our convictions and turn them into action. Think you would like to make a positive difference to someone with learning difficulties? Please get in touch for more information!