Visit our Show Garden at Hampton Court

Spring has sprung, the bluebells are flowering in our woods and we will be exhibiting a show garden for the very first time at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2013, which takes place on 9-14 July.

Our Garden for Joy is named after an inspirational, indefatigable and dedicated friend of QEF, as well as celebrating the life changing work which focuses on what people can do rather than what they can’t.  Here we focus on the joys of achieving greater independence, increased mobility, securing a job or realising tiny personal goals.  It will be the first therapeutic garden ever designed completely from the perspective of wheelchair users.

Donate NOW to become a Founding Friend for our Garden for Joy

Bringing the garden home

The whole point of the show garden is to take it back to QEF Independent Living Services at Dorincourt, home to 37 severely disabled young people who are looking forward to having their own space to socialise, enjoy quiet areas in the fresh air and show off their plant growing skills to their families and friends on Open Days

For our residents being outdoors, with the ability to easily navigate  around their garden space provides the opportunity to shape and take ownership of their environment.  To take care of feeding and watching the antics of birds and wildlife and growing and nurturing their plants is achievable, therapeutic and enjoyable.

Therapeutic, training and social value

Horticulture and the art of growing things from tiny seeds is a huge and rewarding part of our therapy programme. There is an army of disabled residents and volunteers many from local supportive companies itching to rebuild the show garden back at Dorincourt and develop a thriving horticultural therapy programme.  The rebuild is a key part of the garden and will also involve disabled trainees from QEF Vocational Services who are training for a qualification in horticulture and landscaping.

To visit the QEF Garden for Joy and experience it for yourself , click here to book your tickets from the  RHS Hampton Court Palace website .

BBC Radio Surrey Interviews Julie Tugwell

If you were listening to Nick Wallis on BBC Radio Surrey on Monday morning (21 May) you would have heard him interview Jule Tugwell regarding disability discrimination.  Julie is our Registered Services Manager at QEF Independent Living Services.

Disability discrimination is getting higher on the media agenda.  It is important to highlight how it can be addressed by society and how we can best prepare those in our care.