Student Training
Many students arrive at Horticap knowing nothing about horticulture. During their time here, they receive training in all aspects of caring for plants, whether that be in the greenhouses, potting on and pricking out, or off site tending the gardens of our contract customers.
Some students relish the opportunity to be trained to use certain items of machinery like ride on mowers and strimmers. Students are involved in making hanging baskets, Christmas wreaths and selling Christmas trees.
Horticap also provides activities and experience in arts and crafts, including painting and working with textiles. In addition, students have the opportunity to work closely with staff in Hopkins, serving customers and preparing food and working in the shop serving customers, pricing goods up and working on the till.
Not only do we support the students in developing their horticultural practical skills, every day we support our students to interact socially with staff, volunteers and customers to increase their confidence, communication skills, team work and, most importantly to make friends.
Volunteering
We have nearly 30 volunteers, many of whom have supported our students for decades.
Our volunteer roles include working with students in the greenhouse caring for the plants, working on garden contracts off site, in Hopkins and representing Horticap at events, such as the Harrogate Spring Flower Show.
If you are interested in volunteering and feel your values and interests align with ours, please email and our Volunteer Co-Ordinator will get in touch with details of current volunteering vacancies.
Student Focus - David
David joined the Horticap team in July 2014 and loves working here! His constant smile and willingness to engage in any task asked of him is a joy to see. Attending with his Personal Assistant from Leeds Autism Services, his particular needs are accommodated, allowing him to work at his own pace and to take breaks where and when he needs them.
David helped to lay the paving stones that we all walk along when going between the greenhouse and the garden. It has stood the test of time and still looks great!
David enjoys art work too, with an eye for colour and composition. The lovely colourful picture that David decided to paint, shown bottom left, became an art theme that students decided to copy, and display on the wall. David was very proud!
And there is that smile again, which means the world to us at Horticap. David has developed skills that are really impressive, and we hope that he continues to come here for years to come.
For further information regarding Leeds Autism Services: www.leedsautism.org.uk