Flower Pod -outside visit

31 May 2018 Flower Pod visit – Jane and Tracey

Following on from Anna’s talk at Club on the 19^th of April, we made an outside visit to their Flower Pod near Brackenhurst campus of Nottingham Trent University. 21 of Club members plus attended and were entertained to an   enjoyable experience.

Jane (The General Manager) and Tracey (Client Champion) made us most welcome in this relaxed environment allowing us to make our own tea or coffee on arrival.

They explained that Flower Pod is a horticultural based enterprise producing and selling cut flowers and natural confetti.  Part of Reach Learning Disability Charity that provides day services and care support for people with learning disabilities.

The eco-friendly site began with a ploy tunnel in 2010 followed by the construction of their straw bale double workshop building, creating a nurturing environment for their clients, of which they currently have 30.

Communication with their clients is a demanding issue which is now assisted by the use of Makaton sign language and the involvement of many willing and able volunteers (for which Reach received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 20116)

They outlined wonderful anecdotes of how specific clients had been transformed by their experiences at the Flower Pod, but not surprising as you could feel the enthusiasm of these two ‘stars’!

We were treated to some tasty homemade cakes (one of which disappeared in seconds, termed a chocolate Guinness cake) and finally to a raffle draw for a superb bouquet that they had produced, which fittingly went to Gina, President Adrian’s “11 month suffering wife”( nearly there Gina, only one month to endure!)

President Adrian gave a heartfelt vote of thanks and congratulated them on their outstanding work.

AR