Elderberries
An Institute for Outdoor Learning award winning project where older people learn, grow and flourish together.
The Elderberries are a group of adults aged 55+ who enjoy getting outside and gardening in a social setting.
The group take part in weekly drop-in gentle gardening sessions where they undertake conservation and horticulture tasks such as growing vegetables and maintaining wildlife habitats and work inclusively alongside the adult 'Growing Together' volunteering team. There is extra support, adapted tools and adapted tasks available for anyone who needs it and you are welcome to come along with a support worker or friend. The sessions run from 9.30-2.30 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and you can stay for as little or as long as you like! The group also enjoy a free, shared lunch with all of the staff and volunteers after a morning working in the garden on Wednesdays!
The Elderberries take part in a programme of nature based activities such as environmental arts, wildlife identification and photography sessions which are held on various Fridays throughout the year. To find out more about the next activity session, please contact Leanne on the details below or check our calendar.
The Elderberries group also make up the garden's Older People's Forum, who meet regularly and feed ideas directly to our trustees. Join us to make sure your voice is heard.
We are very proud to have won an award in the Supporting Lifelong Learning Category for the Elderberries project in the 2018 Celebrating Outdoor Learning Awards from the Institute for Outdoor Learning! A great achievement and testament to all of the wonderful Elderberries participants who make the project such a success.
If yourself or someone you know would be interested in joining the group, get in touch with Leanne on 0191 275 0000 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our thanks to the Kellett Fund at Community Foundation for their continued support with funding this project.