The Sprouts Programme
The Poison Garden Drugs Education Project
This programme aims to help young people make informed choices when it comes to specific drugs . The reality is that most youngsters will be tempted to experiment with drugs at least once before they reach they age of 18 . The Drugs Education programme aims to give our young people information about illicit substances in a non-judgemental way . Specific guided tours of The Poison Garden help to inform young people how drugs , derived from various plants , can affect their bodies and minds . A speaker from the North East Council on Addictions ( NECA ) further highlights the real-life implications of drug-misuse . This programme will be updated this year and offered to secondary schools in the new season .
The Roots and Shoots Healthy Living Project
Working in partnership with Northumbria Healthcare ( NHS ) staff , this year ’ s project has targeted over 200 children from 10 different schools . Each child has been given the opportunity to grow his / her own vegetables , harvest , cook and taste them via a series of workshops held in our Roots & Shoots Garden . In March each school visited the garden and was given “ ownership ” of a vegetable plot – the ground was prepared and seeds were sown . In May , pupils were in charge of weeding , planting and watering their plots - even scarecrows were made to keep off the pests ! Alongside gardening , NHS staff delivered sessions on the importance of eating healthily and exercising daily . The knowledge that the children take away from this project is invaluable and will be used long after its completion .
The Forget-Me-Not Project
After a short break over the winter season , we have relaunched our Forget-Me-Not programme , with some structured sessions planned . Our drop-in sessions will be used as a tool to develop the independence skills of our participants . This includes activities like ‘ come dine with me ’, an activity which encourages our teens to think about their menu and create a healthy filling meal from scratch . We will also include activities such as trips off-site to the Playhouse and various other venues to promote trust with the young people and give them a budget to spend , allowing them to think for themselves and do so in a safe environment .
If you would like any more information on any of these projects please call Toni Dunn on 01665 511377 or email toni . dunn @ alnwickgarden . com
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