History

Bridewell's history goes back to 1993. The first seeds of a therapeutic gardening project were sown when a group of interested people came together to plan a response to a perceived need among people living in West Oxfordshire who were suffering with mental illness.

Set up with the financial support of Mind in London the project was first called Groundwork. After six months the infant project received a small grant from Social Services for the purchase of equipment, followed by a further grant in April 1994.The project’s first manager was Paul Tomlin, who was also a co-founder of the organisation, and Oxfordshire Mind provided the administration for the project

We were now 'in business' and attention was turned in earnest to the major task of securing a suitable site if the project wasn't to be based on the organic window-box system. After being led up a number of garden paths, we eventually discovered the Walled Garden at Wilcote, which the Hon. Mr & Mrs Charles Cecil generously allowed us to use.

When we finally moved in at the end of July 1994, the real work started. Old fencing had to be cleared, sheds emptied, grass cut, rubbish burned, new sheds and greenhouses erected and tonnes of soil were moved from 'A' to 'B' - and sometimes back to 'A' again! - until it felt like home. A team from West Oxfordshire Training Services help to repair the walls and helped to make the rest room habitable.

As with many small charities, funding the project has been something of a roller coaster with the crisis of closure looming more than once. However in 2003 we secured a three-year contract for the provision of therapeutic services with Oxfordshire Social Services. This contract, now with the Primary Care Trust, means that we are now able to focus our energies on developing more services for the future and extending our client base.

Moving On

Bridewell Organic Gardens is committed to offering worthwhile work opportunities in a therapeutic setting. The overall aim is that this will contribute toward re-establishing a sense of stability and greater wellbeing in Gardeners who come here. It is not part of our aim to assist people directly into employment. Whilst moving on to open employment or further education is considered a successful outcome, it is only one possible indication of a person's overall improved state of health. Having said that, working at Bridewell has enabled some members, directly or indirectly, to return to paid employment and every effort is made on our part to assist Gardeners who are looking to go back to work. We can provide them with initial advice (where appropriate) and contact numbers, for instance for a Work Placement Officer, and will offer our support, but it is left with the individual to decide when they are ready to move on and to take control of the process themselves.

Gardeners have gone on to such jobs as garden centre assistants, self-employed gardening, apprenticeships in engineering, temporary agency driving, factory work, voluntary work and other skilled and non-skilled jobs.

We can provide them with initial advice (where appropriate) and contact numbers, for instance for a Work Placement Officer. We have close links with a number of employment support agencies in the area but it is left to the individual to decide when they are ready to move on and to take control of the process themselves.

Referrals

The majority of referrals are funded through our contract with the local Primary Care Trusts.

If you are interested in coming to Bridewell on one of these placements then you should discuss it with your key-worker, if you have one (CPN, Social Worker, etc.).

If you would like to discuss any aspect of referral with us please ring on 01993 864530 (office) or 01993 868313 (garden). Messages can be left on the office answer phone if there is nobody there. One of us will call you back as soon as we can. We are very happy to speak to a friend or relative if you want them to ring on your behalf.

Referral packs are available on request or you can download an Application form (684KB) and a Monitoring form (423KB).