Thrive’s Garden Gang

Thrive’s Garden Gang has helped local children keep boredom at bay this summer.

Among them, sisters Katherine and Claire Chappell have been able to build dens, make bird feeders, decorate Wellington boots, plant flowers, cook delicious food and even design and create their own miniature gardens.

This fun summer scheme allowed kids to climb trees and run around outdoors in a safe environment and it proved a wonderful chance for Katherine and Claire to spend quality time together.

Fifteen-year-old Katherine has severe learning difficulties and attends a special school near her home in Wokingham. Claire, who’s 13 and goes to a mainstream school, has relished spending quality time with her sister.

Claire said: "I’ve never done anything like this before and I hope we can come again," she said.
"It is so nice to be outside and doing fun things. I’ve really enjoyed it and Katherine has too.
"It would be really boring at home in the holidays so we’ve both looked forward to coming here."

Katherine enjoyed baking an apple and blackberry crumble, using the produce from Thrive’s garden.

Claire loved making jam and really enjoyed painting old Wellington boots and planting them.
"We’ve done things here that we wouldn’t normally do at home, but now we might do some of the things," added Claire.

Mum Sharon agreed: "Both girls have come home enthused about what they have done here – it really has been fantastic for both of them.

"They have learnt new skills and keep bringing home all these ideas. It has also been good for them to spend time on their own without mum watching over them, and it has been good for me too.
"Both girls have also been interacting with new people at Thrive and it makes them feel a bit more independent.
"And as Thrive is a disability charity I haven’t had to spend ages explaining the specialist needs of Katherine – the therapists here just know what to do.
"The whole scheme has been brilliant – I cannot praise it enough."