Gardening for blind or partially sighted people

Thrive has worked with visually impaired gardeners for over 30 years and we are able to draw on a wealth of experience and tried-and-trusted techniques for gardening with low vision.

We offer a range of services for blind and partially sighted people who wish to garden either as a new activity or to continue to enjoy gardening after sight loss. We have information to support you to garden at home, and can help to get you together with other blind and partially sighted people who are interested in gardening.

Thrive also offers support to professionals working with blind and partially sighted people who wish to garden.

In addition to our advisory services, we run the Blind Gardener of the Year competition which celebrates the skills and achievements of blind and partially sighted gardeners.

Follow the links to find how Thrive can help you at home:

• Gardening advice that is just a phone call, letter or email away
• An introductory leaflet with more information and useful contacts
• Getting on with Gardening books available in a variety of formats
• Come Gardening, the magazine of the National Blind Gardeners’ Club which is also available in a variety of formats

Thrive can also help you to get together with other blind and partially sighted people who wish to garden through:

• Practical workshops and roadshows
• Weekend courses
• Membership of the National Blind Gardeners’ Club
• Contact with your local blind gardeners’ club
• Support to set up your own local gardening club

Our work with professionals who support blind and partially sighted people to garden
includes:

• Information to organisations for their members

• Practical workshops for organisations whose members are interested in gardening
• Training for rehabilitation officers to help them use gardening as part of their client’s rehabilitation process

For more information on our services for professionals who are working with blind and partially sighted people, contact our Information Service or call 0118 988 5688.

Thrive’s services for blind and partially sighted gardeners is run in partnership with RNIB. It is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and guided by the Advisory Committee for Blind Gardeners, a group that has many blind and partially sighted members who are keen gardeners.