THE FUTURE of a unique horticultural therapy centre in Powick has been saved following months of growing uncertainty.
Link Nurseries, which supports people suffering from mental illnesses, has been rescued from closure and will now be managed by Warwickshire College Group with the support of Bransford Trust and Friends of Link Nurseries – it has been announced.
The valuable service helps users gain skills to aid their recovery from serious illness by growing fruits, vegetables and plants which are then offered for sale to the public.
A campaign had been launched to save Link Nurseries, off Hospital Lane at the end of last year after the county’s health commissioning groups instructed Worcestershire Health and Care Trust – who previously managed the site – to save £250,000 from its budget. This meant the service was due to close by the end of June.
However, following lengthy discussions with partners and key campaigner West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin, it has been agreed the site will be leased for an initial 12 months to the Bransford Trust, a charity which provides support for other charities and initiatives.
The Trust will make the site available to the college group and the Friends in support of the creation of a community-focused horticultural centre including a new outlet for the sale of plants.
The announcement ends months of uncertainty after it was feared the centre would be no more following the health and care trust’s decision to not run the centre anymore.
A new manager for Link Nurseries is to be appointed shortly with the new centre opening in September.
Andrew Cropley, group deputy principal for further and higher education at Warwickshire College Group, said: “Warwickshire College Group is absolutely delighted to be able to support Link Nurseries and secure this vital service at Powick.
“Pershore College already has strong ties to the site, with our expert horticulture staff regularly visiting and teaching there, so we are in the perfect position to assist.
“Working with our partners, this collaboration provides a fantastic opportunity to develop a standalone enterprise delivering strong healthcare and educational benefits for local people.”
Mrs Baldwin was keen to pay tribute to the people who worked behind the scenes after the Worcestershire Health and Care Trust withdrew funding for courses run at Powick.
The MP worked with district organisations and identified a number of rescue options and worked with people and the Link Friends to find a way to secure the future of the site.
She said: “We were all disappointed to see the Health and Care Trust take steps to end services delivered at Link Nurseries, the final plot of the old Powick Hospital.
“Its heritage is very important to the local community and the nurseries were well used by people.
“I am grateful for the efforts of Colin Kinnear at the Bransford Trust for working so hard to provide a structure for saving the site as well as the commitment from Warwickshire College Group.”
