Moving on

Bridewell Organic Gardens is committed to offering worthwhile work opportunities in a therapeutic setting. The overall aim is that this will contribute toward re-establishing a sense of stability and greater wellbeing in Gardeners who come here. It is not part of our aim to assist people directly into employment. Whilst moving on to open employment or further education would be considered a successful outcome, it is only one possible indication of a person's overall improved state of health. Having said that, working at Bridewell has enabled some members, directly or indirectly, to return to paid employment and every effort is made on our part to assist Gardeners who are looking to go back to work. We can provide them with initial advice (where appropriate) and contact numbers, for instance for a Work Placement Officer, and will offer our support, but it is left with the individual to decide when they are ready to move on and to take control of the process themselves.

Gardeners have gone on to such jobs as garden centre assistants, self-employed gardening, apprenticeships in engineering, temporary agency driving, factory work, voluntary work and other skilled and non-skilled jobs.

Our practice is to encourage sustainable recovery in a broad sense: helping to restore or develop self-esteem and self-confidence, drawing on existing social and work skills, supporting each other and developing new skills.