Gardening with Disabilities Trust

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IMPORTANT: We only accept grant applications from March to May, and from September to November. We are unable to review or consider any applications received outside of these dates.

We’re a small, volunteer-only charity with a specific remit – that is to help you back into gardening.  We urge you to head to our clients’ stories and newsletter sections of our website where you will find inspiring and creative projects funded by the charity. We also request that you read this page carefully….we cannot progress applications which are outside of our remit or which are incomplete.

Typically we can pay for: 

  • Raised beds

  • Poly Tunnels

  • Greenhouses

  • Tools

  • Small-scale garden adaptations. e.g. access pathways.

  • Plants or Shrubs

  • Compost

We cannot pay for 

  • Fencing

  • Gates

  • Seating

  • Clearing

  • General/ongoing maintenance

  • Turfing

  • Tree removal

Regrettably we cannot give grants for children.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

We welcome all genuine applications and ask that you follow the process below. (Also, please note that we are only able to consider repeat applications after 4 years.)

However, if we believe an application to be fraudulent we will deal robustly and will not hesitate to inform the police and all appropriate authorities.

Please bear in mind that Gardening with Disabilities Trust is an all-volunteer charity, and that processing applications takes time.  Please read carefully the notes provided on this page and ensure that your application has all the requested supporting documentation and adheres to our guidelines.  Typically, it will take around 3 months between receiving your application and award of a grant. Please note, not all applications will be successful. 

Step 1 – Apply for a Grant

When you’ve worked out your project, complete your application form and send it to us : either apply online using the green button below (this works best if you have good broadband speed) or download the Word form below (the black button – it will open in a new window) and email to info@gardeningwithdisabilitiestrust.org.uk or send it by post to: Gardening with Disabilities Trust, PO Box 285, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 9JD.

Or download the form here.

 

Make sure you enclose/attach the following (we cannot process your application without them):

  1. A letter from your doctor or other Health Care Professional indicating your disability and a copy of another official document relating to your disability…a PIP or a Blue Parking Badge would be acceptable. (We keep your information safely and use it for the purpose of assessing your suitability for a grant. You can check out our privacy policy here.

  2. 2 quotations from your suppliers (if you are requesting a grant to modify your garden).

  3. The detail about your project, what you are needing and how much it costs.  For example, if you would like a raised bed, then you might need to detail raised bed  £x, potting compost £y. Don’t forget to include delivery costs.

  4. It’s always good if you can enlist friends, family or voluntary organisations to carry out some of the labour for you if you are unable to do it yourself/need extra help.

Step 2 – Review by Case-Worker

Your application will be passed to a case-worker – one of our experienced volunteers – who will review it carefully. He/she may come back to you and ask you some questions about your project or for some additional form of ID.

Step 3 – Review by Committee/Award of Grants

All viable applications will be discussed at our Committee Meeting.  These take place roughly every 2 months, so please be patient.  If successful, we will let you know, and arrange to make the payment to you either in the form of vouchers or to your chosen supplier.

Step 4 – Implementation & Follow up

We ask you to send receipts (for our auditors) and photos of how you’ve used the grant. In certain instances, we will contact you to arrange a visit to see the outcome in situ. Some of our clients keep in touch for years afterwards, and we are delighted by that.

Important Notes

We reserve the right to investigate applications including visits to your garden, Google and Google Earth searches and on social media. We insist on seeing receipts for materials and  work carried out, matched to the grant.

It is your responsibility to check planning permissions, landlords consent and other statutory permissions. Before digging make sure you know the route of any utility services.

We pay builders/suppliers on your behalf. We never pay builders “up-front”. Please please ensure that you are using a reputable supplier – ask around for recommendations or use a trusted trader scheme.

Whether you are applying for a raised bed or help with accessing your garden, here is a list of suppliers that we can order from on your behalf. We will never pay you directly. 

In some circumstances, it may be possible to obtain VAT-relief on the cost of adaptations required for your personal use as a result of your disability. We cannot advise on this and recommend you seek the advice of a tax specialist: it remains your responsibility to check whether your work is eligible for such relief. You may find some useful information here. 

Please note:  

You can upload all of the information to us on the online application form above,  or send it to us as an email at: info@gardeningwithdisabilitiestrust.org.uk,  or pop it  in the post to: Gardening with Disabilities Trust, PO Box 285, Tunbridge Wells. Kent. TN2 9JD.

Apply for a grant - Gardening With Disabilities Trust