A new woodwork showroom has officially opened at Wootton's Care in the Garden.
Care in the Garden is a Community Interest Company (CIC) - a not for profit organisation - set up to make a difference by creating work opportunities for adults with additional needs and learning disabilities on the Isle of Wight.
Based at Palmers Brook, Park Road, the nursery makes and sells a range of stunning wooden furniture, plants, flowers, fresh produce, refurbished tools, garden ceramics and much more.
Today (Friday), the new Splinters Production Workshop (pictured below) was opened by Isle of Wight Radio's Jamie White and Carl Atkinson-Goffe.
Within Care in the Garden, Blossoms Floristry was set up to teach floristry skills and produces some beautiful flower arrangements using either real, or artificial flowers and these are sold at the nursery. Meanwhile, The Tool Shed was created for supported worker Anton, who with the help of his work buddy, has learnt how to refurbish old tools, which he also sells at the nursery.
The work-buddies scheme also sees the team at Care In The Garden join forces with Island companies, who offer them employment packages.
The charity, based in Wootton, was initially created in 2012 as a community company to offer work experience and opportunities to Islanders with additional needs and learning disabilities. From there, it has continued to evolve year-on-year, despite facing new financial challenges.
John Goodenough, Founder and Director of Care in the Garden, told Isle of Wight Radio:
"We are funded by what we grow, make and sell at our nursery at Palmers Brook, on the Isle of Wight and through our web sales.
"Every penny people spend with us helps to provide meaningful work opportunities for adults with additional needs on the Island.
"Like a lot of businesses, we have had to evolve and expand what we do, while giving people experience and opportunities for the future.
"The guys who work with us here deserve a full and meaningful life. They deserve the same opportunities as everyone, and that's what we strive to do here.
"We are funded - basically - by what our customers buy. We can only grow if that continues. We are always coming up with new ideas.
"We would love more companies on the Island to get involved to support us."
John had this message for anyone who was thinking about visiting:
"If you're in the area, or driving-by, pop into see us. I think you will be surprised about what we have to offer.
"From the plants that the guys grow, to the tools we refurbish - to the woodwork furniture, jewellery and ceramics. People are being given the chance to express their talents."
You can listen to the full interview below:
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