WORK is set to begin to make a Powick horticultural therapy centre more accessible to people in wheelchairs thanks to a generous donation.
Link Nurseries, which is part of college group WCG, is set to make a range of improvements for visitors after being left £5,000 in a will.
Timothy Bache, from Worcester, left the legacy to The Bransford Trust, which has facilitated the donation to Link Nurseries.
Link Nurseries is a community-focused horticultural centre providing therapeutic and vocational services and activities for people wishing to improve their mental and physical health, along with plant and produce sales.
When work is completed, the therapy centre will feature a new concrete slab entrance and also new wheelchair access into the on-site shop and green classroom.
The funds will also see increased fencing around Well-Bean Gardening Club plots and allotment areas, to protect the plots from being destroyed by rabbits.
The club provides a tranquil space for gardeners to cultivate their own vegetables, flowers and develop new skills – all within a small, manageable 16 sq ft plot.
New members are being welcomed for the Well-Bean Gardening Club, as the centre seeks to offer its services to more people.
Finally, a tree with a memorial plaque will be planted on the site to commemorate the donation, with recognition of the money left by Timothy Bache.
Josh Egan-Wyer, head of horticulture (Curriculum and Commercial) at WCG, said: “We would like to thank Mr Bache for this generous donation from his will.
“Donations such as this are essential to helping us to continue delivering vitally important horticultural therapy activities at Link Nurseries.
“We will be using the money to make the centre accessible to more people, with investment being made in the community shop area and around the site to make it more wheelchair accessible.
“At the centre we are committed to our services being available to anyone who needs the support, and this will help us to do that.
“The Well-Bean Gardening club continues to grow and thrive, but one challenge we have always had was protecting the small plots from rabbits and other animals. The new fencing will protect these areas and mean that the hard work of members doesn’t go to waste.
“We have aspirations to continue to grow, develop and expand our services at Link Nurseries and we are always looking for more donations and funding to help us do that.”
