Green Routes at the Gartmore Gardens - Gillian Forster

Thu, Oct 27th 2016 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Green Routes at the Gartmore Gardens - Gillian Forster

Green Routes at the Gartmore Gardens - Gillian Forster

GREEN ROUTES AT GARTMORE GARDENS

How can we best meet the needs of those young people of school leaving age who need support because they have learning difficulties or experience problems adjusting to society?  This challenge has been addressed in a number of innovative ways. One approach was described by Gillian Forster in a talk to the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club.

Some ten years ago a group of people were deeply concerned that only five percent of the young people in need of such support were successful in gaining employment, and, of those, 65 per cent had lost their job within the first year. The group decided to explore an approach that would involve young people working in horticulture as a means of developing their employability skills, while also giving them a positive attitude to the future.

After a prolonged search, the group found an ideal environment in the shape of the walled garden at Gartmore House, in the village of Gartmore, which they were able to lease. Gillian then described how Green Routes was then formally established with a role to provide a suitable environment for working with young people and to promote the necessary learning experiences for them.  

Following some years when the garden had been neglected, the initial task was to clear the garden, and to create the various areas in which plants could be grown.  The students were fully involved in this process, learning to work together in ways that would achieve a positive outcome. In time, polytunnels were erected to provide indoor horticultural teaching areas, shelter in wet and cold weather, and under to cover the beds for a range of plants to include vegetables and fruit.

The training of the students takes place in an organically managed community garden in safe, natural and friendly surroundings. Facilities include teaching beds, greenhouses and workshop areas with raised beds suitable for students in wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. Beekeeping, poultry and, recently, the acquisition of Jacob sheep have increased the range of experiences that can be offered.  The acquisition of a tractor has created a new dimension to learning, together with the increased confidence gained by being able to manage the driving skill involved. Students can study to SVQ1/2 in Horticulture and also for the Royal Caledonian Horticulture Society Achievement Award.

While horticulture provides an important source of motivation, this is supplemented by classroom-based learning that builds on skills of reading, writing and numerical tasks. Together, the attributes the students develop can lead to employment, and an independent living status.

Funding for the 43 students, who remain at Gartmore for three to four years, comes from Stirling Council, and this is supplemented by donations and gifts from various sources, including an office building donated by Ogilvy, and by help from volunteers.  Local businesses have been supportive in providing job placements that help students apply the skills learned in the garden.


A notable achievement this year came in a competition to design gardens based on a pallet, to be judged at the Garden Festival at Ingliston.  The students from Green Routes succeeded in winning three gold and four silver medals, boosting the confidence of the students and demonstrating their design capabilities.

Gillian ended by emphasizing that the students’ work with horticulture is a means to an end: its ultimate purpose is to help the young people build their confidence, increase their self-esteem, and develop an ability to work together.

Laurie Orr, Speaker’s Host, congratulated Gillian on her talk and her answers to members’ questions.  Green Route’s contribution was remarkable, with a very positive response to a difficult social problem.

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