New Gardening Groups For Summer 2024 🌞
We've had a bit of a shuffle round and have altered our Gather & Grow sessions and our Gardening To Feel Good groups slightly. All of our sessions are about helping you feel good - both mentally and physically- and providing a space for you to enjoy the outdoors while meeting lovely new people. Find out about how you can get involved below.
Come and lend a hand at our community flower gardens.
We wanted as many people as possible to be able to access our sessions at all of our different gardens. We also wanted people to have space to use the garden for whatever they needed. Perhaps you want to make friends, learn more about growing, or have a space to relax and enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors? This is why we now offer gardening sessions at each of our gardens, all with a different focus.
If you want to get stuck in with a new gang of people, join us at Big Bloom. If you want to learn more about gardening and flowers, come along to Wortley. And if you want a more quiet, chilled gardening session, so you can leave all your worries at the gate, then Baby Bloom and our quiet sessions are for you. You can read more about our gardens here.
You can book onto any of our gardening sessions for free by clicking the button below.
Welcome To Bloom
We also know that lots of people feel nervous about coming to a gardening session for the first time and would like to get to know the staff, the gardens and the volunteers first. That is why we are starting our 'Welcome To Bloom' sessions. These sessions are delivered in 4 week blocks. The block has 1 session per week for 4 weeks, with the same small group of people. At the sessions you will try out some gardening activities, meet the Bloom team and explore both of our community gardens - so everything will become familiar.
These are also a great option if you are referring someone to our services or if you are feeling a little anxious about not knowing anyone or getting involved. Be reassured that we are here to support you all the way.
Meet The Team
At a Bloom gardening session, there will be one session leader and at least one Bloom volunteer. They are here to support you and help you get the most out of the sessions. Depending on which session you attend, the groups will be led by either Kate or Kendall.
This is Kate.
Kate delivers the sessions at Wortley Walled Garden and the quiet sessions at Baby Bloom. She will also be running 2 out of the 4 Welcome To Bloom sessions.
Kate is an experienced gardener and has been involved with Bloom since the early days, so she knows our gardens well. Kate loves flowers and is always happy to share knowledge and ideas.
Kate says that when you come to Bloom you should “expect a non-judgemental, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where you can escape, relax, learn and meet new people.”
You can contact Kate on kate@bloomsheffield.com
This is Kendall
Kendall delivers the gardening sessions at Big Bloom and in the evenings at Baby Bloom. She also will be running 2 out of the 4 Welcome To Bloom sessions.
Kendall loves growing flowers and is involved with lots of other areas of Bloom, so you might see her at the shop or at our events. Kendall is also our Designated Safeguarding Lead, so you can talk to her if you are worried about anything.
Kendall says at Bloom, “there are always people there to support you and make your feel welcome. Lots of people attend alone, so we always have friendly staff and volunteers on site to make you feel comfortable and relaxed. You can always look forward to enjoying the outdoors and learning lots from other people.”
You can contact Kendall on kendall@bloomsheffield.com
What Usually Happens at a Gardening Session?
After you sign up and before the session, Kendall or Kate will email you some information about where to meet and a contact number if you need us.
At the beginning of the session, we will meet you at the gates and walk to the garden together as a group. There is a short walk (less than 5 minutes) to our gardens from the meeting point.
At our quiet sessions and our Welcome to Bloom sessions we will have a cuppa together at the beginning of the session. At the other sessions, we normally stop for a drink and a snack together half way through the session.
There are always lots of different things to get involved with at the garden. We normally have a list of activities and you can choose which one you would like to do. We have volunteers and staff to help you if you’ve never gardened before and would like to learn with someone. You can also do absolutely nothing at all! If you want to come and sit in the garden and just listen to the birds, that’s fine by us. It is your garden to enjoy whilst you are with us.
Just before the end, we will clear away our tools and we will walk back down to the gate together.
We have gardening gloves and tools for you to borrow, but make sure you bring a waterproof coat and/or a sun hat - depending on the weather.