in the sweetness of friendship, let there be laughter and sharing of pleasures. for in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed

· Employability : The Flower Union seeks to provide a safe place for women through gardening. We aim to provide transferrable skills such as time management, stress regulation and a nurturing environment in which to grow.

Meeting likeminded people, The Flower Union wishes to act as a supportive space in which women can learn and heal together.

During the training period women will:

· Train with a small group of women, learn and achieve together.

· Learn to garden to a professional standard.

· Access one-to-one support.

· Gain transferrable skills for future employment.

· Have access to supported RHS/ Horticultural qualifications.

· Gain confidence to work in a safe, nurturing space.

Gardening to a professional standard

People who join the Flower Union will be encouraged to pursue mental sanctuary through the act of gardening. The mental health benefits are key to the success of our social enterprise. Learning techniques along the way such as how to plant bulbs, when to prune shrubs, how to maintain a healthy flower bed and what soil is best for differing plants. As the weeks progress, more advanced tools such as hedge trimmers and lawnmowers are introduced along with the skills required to operate such tools.

Life Skills & Character Development

Learning about employability is of course important to a person’s professional development. However, we recognise that a big part of development lies in personal life skills. These include developing things such as confidence, interpersonal skills, character building, healthy tools of communication, resilience, and friendship. All of which we strive to encourage.

Transferable Skills & Mentorship

Most people who join the Flower Union have no gardening experience, in either the professional or personal field. This is why gardening is used as a tool to teach much more than just gardening. How to deliver tasks on time, to be organised, to communicate clearly,

and being able to manage the emotional stress of working. These transferrable skills allow women to broaden their horizons.

Referral Criteria

· Female, aged –

· Experience of poor mental health and or seeking community.

· Right to work in the UK.

· Physically able to work.

Please get in touch via this email address: jane@theflowerunion.org

· Funding: Being able to provide a safe space for women who have struggled mentally is something we do not take for granted. Any donations made to make this possible would be greatly appreciated. Helping us to help as many women as we can reach.

Please contact us for any donation queries: charityteam@theflowerunion.org

· Impact: Luminary Bakery talk about the impact they’ve had via an Impact Report that they undertake each year. Allowing them to give statistical data and visual cues. This may not be applicable, but we could formulate a way to retrieve some data to create something similar.

· In this section we could talk about the connections we continue to have with members who have been and gone. How some people have taken the skills learnt to embark on their own business. Possibly highlight how many gardens we have in our circulation if applicable.

· Also finding some third-party research that exists which can highlight why the work at the Flower Union is so important.

“Gardening as a business has also previously been a male-dominated trade, but this has now grown massively as a career and business for females as the study found that 10% of tradeswomen in the UK are gardeners and landscapers.” Sourced: https://www.hortweek.com/new-study-reveals-gardening-fourth-popular-trade-job-women/landscape/article/1712486

Gardening and Horticulture has already started to take steps in the right direction however, it is still a few paces behind. Gardening is therapeutic and poses so many benefits for a person’s mental health. To enable the work we start at the Flower Union to progress into a

viable business for people to embark on in the future, the industry needs to be welcoming to female led gardening businesses. Making the space we provide professionally so important.

“Engagement in gardening has shown to have both immediate and long-term effects on mental health outcomes. Just gardening for several hours provides instantaneous reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms, while gardening daily is associated with reduced stress and increased life satisfaction.” Source: https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/cultivating-wellbeing-and-mental-health-through-gardening

The British Psychological Society found that gardening has a direct impact on a person’s mental health how well they learn to regulate stress. “Further personal well-being effects include increased enjoyment, sense of achievement, satisfaction and pride from nurturing the plants.” These characteristics are not to be underestimated when attributed to gardening. The personal, environmental, and physical gains are unmatched. Thus organisations who are trying to pave the way for more accessible gardening should be met with excitement.

Progression Support Programme: Luminary talk about their initiative to provide “In-depth employability and holistic support to our women as they continue on their journey towards independence.” This is post bakery skill graduation and onto the next step of employability

· Possibly not applicable but could be in the future with more rigorous structure and an entry level qualification that then leads to further education and support. Having a system like this would definitely invite possibilities for funding and encourage more women to join if there was a clear line of professional progression.

Resources: An example of what Luminary have that we could include on the website:

If you are at serious risk of harm, or experiencing Self Harm or Suicidal thoughts, call NHS: 111 and your GP for an urgent appointment. Papyrus HOPELINE (under 35's) : 0800 068 4141 Samaritans: 116 123 or text Shout to: 116 123.

· Employability : The Flower Union seeks to provide a safe place for women through gardening. We aim to provide transferrable skills such as time management, stress regulation and a nurturing environment in which to grow.

Meeting likeminded people, The Flower Union wishes to act as a supportive space in which women can learn and heal together.

During the training period women will:

· Train with a small group of women, learn and achieve together.

· Learn to garden to a professional standard.

· Access one-to-one support.

· Gain transferrable skills for future employment.

· Have access to supported RHS/ Horticultural qualifications.

· Gain confidence to work in a safe, nurturing space.

Gardening to a professional standard

People who join the Flower Union will be encouraged to pursue mental sanctuary through the act of gardening. The mental health benefits are key to the success of our social enterprise. Learning techniques along the way such as how to plant bulbs, when to prune shrubs, how to maintain a healthy flower bed and what soil is best for differing plants. As the weeks progress, more advanced tools such as hedge trimmers and lawnmowers are introduced along with the skills required to operate such tools.

Life Skills & Character Development

Learning about employability is of course important to a person’s professional development. However, we recognise that a big part of development lies in personal life skills. These include developing things such as confidence, interpersonal skills, character building, healthy tools of communication, resilience, and friendship. All of which we strive to encourage.

Transferable Skills & Mentorship

Most people who join the Flower Union have no gardening experience, in either the professional or personal field. This is why gardening is used as a tool to teach much more than just gardening. How to deliver tasks on time, to be organised, to communicate clearly,

and being able to manage the emotional stress of working. These transferrable skills allow women to broaden their horizons.

Referral Criteria

· Female, aged –

· Experience of poor mental health and or seeking community.

· Right to work in the UK.

· Physically able to work.

Please get in touch via this email address: jane@theflowerunion.org

· Funding: Being able to provide a safe space for women who have struggled mentally is something we do not take for granted. Any donations made to make this possible would be greatly appreciated. Helping us to help as many women as we can reach.

Please contact us for any donation queries: charityteam@theflowerunion.org

· Impact: Luminary Bakery talk about the impact they’ve had via an Impact Report that they undertake each year. Allowing them to give statistical data and visual cues. This may not be applicable, but we could formulate a way to retrieve some data to create something similar.

· In this section we could talk about the connections we continue to have with members who have been and gone. How some people have taken the skills learnt to embark on their own business. Possibly highlight how many gardens we have in our circulation if applicable.

· Also finding some third-party research that exists which can highlight why the work at the Flower Union is so important.

“Gardening as a business has also previously been a male-dominated trade, but this has now grown massively as a career and business for females as the study found that 10% of tradeswomen in the UK are gardeners and landscapers.” Sourced: https://www.hortweek.com/new-study-reveals-gardening-fourth-popular-trade-job-women/landscape/article/1712486

Gardening and Horticulture has already started to take steps in the right direction however, it is still a few paces behind. Gardening is therapeutic and poses so many benefits for a person’s mental health. To enable the work we start at the Flower Union to progress into a

viable business for people to embark on in the future, the industry needs to be welcoming to female led gardening businesses. Making the space we provide professionally so important.

“Engagement in gardening has shown to have both immediate and long-term effects on mental health outcomes. Just gardening for several hours provides instantaneous reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms, while gardening daily is associated with reduced stress and increased life satisfaction.” Source: https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/cultivating-wellbeing-and-mental-health-through-gardening

The British Psychological Society found that gardening has a direct impact on a person’s mental health how well they learn to regulate stress. “Further personal well-being effects include increased enjoyment, sense of achievement, satisfaction and pride from nurturing the plants.” These characteristics are not to be underestimated when attributed to gardening. The personal, environmental, and physical gains are unmatched. Thus organisations who are trying to pave the way for more accessible gardening should be met with excitement.

Progression Support Programme: Luminary talk about their initiative to provide “In-depth employability and holistic support to our women as they continue on their journey towards independence.” This is post bakery skill graduation and onto the next step of employability

· Possibly not applicable but could be in the future with more rigorous structure and an entry level qualification that then leads to further education and support. Having a system like this would definitely invite possibilities for funding and encourage more women to join if there was a clear line of professional progression.

Resources: An example of what Luminary have that we could include on the website:

If you are at serious risk of harm, or experiencing Self Harm or Suicidal thoughts, call NHS: 111 and your GP for an urgent appointment. Papyrus HOPELINE (under 35's) : 0800 068 4141 Samaritans: 116 123 or text Shout to: 116 123.

· Employability : The Flower Union seeks to provide a safe place for women through gardening. We aim to provide transferrable skills such as time management, stress regulation and a nurturing environment in which to grow.

Meeting likeminded people, The Flower Union wishes to act as a supportive space in which women can learn and heal together.

During the training period women will:

· Train with a small group of women, learn and achieve together.

· Learn to garden to a professional standard.

· Access one-to-one support.

· Gain transferrable skills for future employment.

· Have access to supported RHS/ Horticultural qualifications.

· Gain confidence to work in a safe, nurturing space.

Gardening to a professional standard

People who join the Flower Union will be encouraged to pursue mental sanctuary through the act of gardening. The mental health benefits are key to the success of our social enterprise. Learning techniques along the way such as how to plant bulbs, when to prune shrubs, how to maintain a healthy flower bed and what soil is best for differing plants. As the weeks progress, more advanced tools such as hedge trimmers and lawnmowers are introduced along with the skills required to operate such tools.

Life Skills & Character Development

Learning about employability is of course important to a person’s professional development. However, we recognise that a big part of development lies in personal life skills. These include developing things such as confidence, interpersonal skills, character building, healthy tools of communication, resilience, and friendship. All of which we strive to encourage.

Transferable Skills & Mentorship

Most people who join the Flower Union have no gardening experience, in either the professional or personal field. This is why gardening is used as a tool to teach much more than just gardening. How to deliver tasks on time, to be organised, to communicate clearly,

and being able to manage the emotional stress of working. These transferrable skills allow women to broaden their horizons.

Referral Criteria

· Female, aged –

· Experience of poor mental health and or seeking community.

· Right to work in the UK.

· Physically able to work.

Please get in touch via this email address: jane@theflowerunion.org

· Funding: Being able to provide a safe space for women who have struggled mentally is something we do not take for granted. Any donations made to make this possible would be greatly appreciated. Helping us to help as many women as we can reach.

Please contact us for any donation queries: charityteam@theflowerunion.org

· Impact: Luminary Bakery talk about the impact they’ve had via an Impact Report that they undertake each year. Allowing them to give statistical data and visual cues. This may not be applicable, but we could formulate a way to retrieve some data to create something similar.

· In this section we could talk about the connections we continue to have with members who have been and gone. How some people have taken the skills learnt to embark on their own business. Possibly highlight how many gardens we have in our circulation if applicable.

· Also finding some third-party research that exists which can highlight why the work at the Flower Union is so important.

“Gardening as a business has also previously been a male-dominated trade, but this has now grown massively as a career and business for females as the study found that 10% of tradeswomen in the UK are gardeners and landscapers.” Sourced: https://www.hortweek.com/new-study-reveals-gardening-fourth-popular-trade-job-women/landscape/article/1712486

Gardening and Horticulture has already started to take steps in the right direction however, it is still a few paces behind. Gardening is therapeutic and poses so many benefits for a person’s mental health. To enable the work we start at the Flower Union to progress into a

viable business for people to embark on in the future, the industry needs to be welcoming to female led gardening businesses. Making the space we provide professionally so important.

“Engagement in gardening has shown to have both immediate and long-term effects on mental health outcomes. Just gardening for several hours provides instantaneous reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms, while gardening daily is associated with reduced stress and increased life satisfaction.” Source: https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/cultivating-wellbeing-and-mental-health-through-gardening

The British Psychological Society found that gardening has a direct impact on a person’s mental health how well they learn to regulate stress. “Further personal well-being effects include increased enjoyment, sense of achievement, satisfaction and pride from nurturing the plants.” These characteristics are not to be underestimated when attributed to gardening. The personal, environmental, and physical gains are unmatched. Thus organisations who are trying to pave the way for more accessible gardening should be met with excitement.

Progression Support Programme: Luminary talk about their initiative to provide “In-depth employability and holistic support to our women as they continue on their journey towards independence.” This is post bakery skill graduation and onto the next step of employability

· Possibly not applicable but could be in the future with more rigorous structure and an entry level qualification that then leads to further education and support. Having a system like this would definitely invite possibilities for funding and encourage more women to join if there was a clear line of professional progression.

Resources: An example of what Luminary have that we could include on the website:

If you are at serious risk of harm, or experiencing Self Harm or Suicidal thoughts, call NHS: 111 and your GP for an urgent appointment. Papyrus HOPELINE (under 35's) : 0800 068 4141 Samaritans: 116 123 or text Shout to: 116 123.