Gardening With Disabilities Trust Reopens Small Grants for Garden Adaptations

The Gardening with Disabilities Trust, a registered charity based in Kent, has reopened its small grants to help people continue gardening despite disability or health issues.

The Trust, which is entirely staffed by volunteers, provides financial support to enable individuals and groups to adapt gardens and access basic equipment. The aim is to help applicants return to gardening by addressing practical barriers that can arise from physical, mental or visual disabilities.

No upper or lower grant limit is stated. Awards are typically 'for hundreds of pounds'. A total of around £41,600 was awarded in small grants last year.

Applications are considered from individuals and groups across the UK. This includes people who need to reorganise gardens due to health issues and residents in long stay hospitals or nursing homes who share a garden. Preference is given to keen gardeners who can no longer garden as a result of physical disability. Applicants are required to join the Trust's Garden Club, with membership offered free of charge.

Support can cover adaptations to private gardens to meet specific needs, alongside help for special gardens in hospitals, centres and schools. Eligible costs include items such as tools, planting tables, raised beds, paving, wheelchair access, handrails and greenhouses. The Trust also provides information on garden aids and techniques.

Grants can be used for raised beds, poly tunnels, greenhouses, tools, small-scale adaptations such as access pathways, plants or shrubs and compost. The Trust usually pays suppliers directly once work is completed, or issues vouchers that can be redeemed at a retailer near the applicant.

Applications can be made at any time. For more information, please visit Apply for a grant - Gardening With Disabilities Trust