New research published today, Monday 5 March, by Thrive shows the importance of gardening for disabled people. The research, conducted by specialist research company, Mintel, exclusively for Thrive, evaluates the levels of participation and interest in gardening among individuals with a disability.
The key findings are:
Gardening is important to people with a disability. 87 percent of respondents said they have a garden, 68 percent said they are interested in gardening and 28 percent say they actively enjoy it – a higher percentage than in the population as a whole.
Disabled people find that gardening benefits their health. Nearly three quarters of respondents with a garden claimed that gardening had been beneficial to their health in some capacity. Nearly one third stated that gardening had ongoing benefits, and 19 percent reported it had helped them through a period of mental or physical ill health.
The gardening industry could do more to meet the needs of disabled people. 1 in 8 respondents stated sales staff were not adequately trained in disability awareness which affected their decision and 18 percent had walked away as a result of inaccessible premises or lack of adequate facilities in the store.
“This research proves for the first time how much disabled people value gardening. It has given us a detailed insight and a wealth of information which will help direct, guide and influence our work”, says Nicola Carruthers, Chief Executive of Thrive.
For more information contact Thrive on 0118 988 5688 or email info@thrive.org.uk.
For media enquiries contact Julia Pitman or Patricia Orr at Third Sector PR on 020 7592 1990 or Contact us
Related Information
Click here to read an Executive Summary of the research