CHAPTER (West Cheshire) Ltd. Gardening Project

The CHAPTER Gardening Project aims to help people who have experienced mental health problems prepare themselves for employment. By taking part in the project you will develop skills that will help you eventually to move back into employment.

The project is not just for those who want a career in gardening. It is for anyone who wants to go back to work but does not feel that they can cope yet with the world of work. It will give you a taste of work in a supported environment and help you to develop your confidence, your ability to work with other people and other general work-related skills.

What does the Gardening Project involve?

Those taking part in the project will:

• All participants will do some voluntary work in the project's allotment to learn the basic skills needed.
• Later on people may work in small, supervised teams on basic gardening tasks for older and disabled people for which payment will be received.*
• Receive training in health and safety procedures as well as basic gardening skills.
• Receive training in key employability skills such as communication and team working skills and job search techniques.

* Payment will be a the National Minimum Wage level and will be dependent upon the Job Centre Plus approving Permitted Work.

Eligibility for the Gardening Project will be at the discretion of CHAPTER staff.

Who can take part in the Gardening Project?

To be considered you must:

• Have experienced mental health problems that currently present real barriers to successful entry into an open employment situation.
• Be unemployed.
• Be aged 16+.
• Be resident in the Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston area.

Want to know more?

For further details about the Gardening Project please ring Graham on 01244 344409.

Referrals to the service should be made by using the standard CHAPTER referral form. These can be obtained by phoning 01244 344409 or on our forms page here.

About CHAPTER

CHAPTER (West Cheshire) Ltd is a local charity founded in 1991 with the purpose of helping people who have experienced mental health problems re-enter employment, training and education. We will assist people aged 16+ who live in Chester, Ellesmere Port or Neston. We currently help over a hundred people each year from a wide range of different backgrounds.

Further enquiries about the project can be made by telephoning the Manager on 01244 344409 or email