Finding Peace and Growth: A Look Back at Our Horticulture Programme
Over the last year, we’ve had the absolute joy of running three 6-week horticulture programmes at Field of Beans and Clynfyw. The goal has always been simple: to bring a deep sense of belonging to our groups, whether someone wants to work towards qualifications or just hang out and enjoy the fresh air.
Nurturing New Skills
We welcomed 22 wonderful young learners, aged between 14 and 25, offering them Agored Cymru accreditation in Horticulture (Entry Level 1 & 2). Our learners have truly thrived, earning:
- 7 Entry Level 1 awards
- 5 Entry Level 2 awards
- 1 outstanding learner gained extended awards in both levels, securing an extra 6 credits!
Because we want every single person to feel comfortable, assessments are completely flexible—learners can showcase what they know through video or workbooks, whichever suits them best.
Branching Out and Giving Back
One of the most rewarding parts of the project has been seeing learners return and grow. Past participants are not only joining in with the accreditation but are now volunteering to support our younger learners! By working towards their Level 2 in Learning in the Outdoors, these individuals are setting themselves up for employment in the tourism industry or even starting their own small businesses.
We’ve seen fantastic success stories already. One of our young volunteers, who also helps at the Oakwise bushcraft club, has secured two paid activity leader events and is well on her way to starting her own forest school.
More Than Just Gardening
Our programmes are open to everyone, drawing in young people from the Futureworks programmes, home-educated youth, and those who have struggled with the traditional school system. For every single learner, the garden has become a space to find peace, take a breath, and have good, honest chats while weeding.
Looking Ahead to September
The journey doesn’t stop here. We are excited to continue the programme in September with returning learners and space for new faces to join. Moving forward, learners will be able to build on their credits by branching out into essential skills for work and personal development, all layered on top of their practical horticulture baseline.
Whether you want to dig in the dirt, build qualifications for a new career, or just find a quiet, welcoming space, we’d love to hear from you!
