The Gardening with Disabilities Trust, which changed its name from the Gardening for the Disabled Trust in 2021, aims to “relieve the suffering and distress of people with disabilities by enabling them to take an active part in gardening and other leisure activities”. The Trust’s patron is the broadcaster, journalist and gardener, Alan Titchmarsh.

The Trust awards small grants to charitable organisations and institutions all over the United Kingdom in order that they may continue to garden despite advancing illness, age or disability whether mental or physical

The Trust advocates gardening for people with a disability as “a passion for plants and the care they need are real diversions from the gruelling demands of many chronic illnesses. Whatever the weather or the economy may be doing, reading, choosing and planning for the gardening season to come surely helps. Gardening is a simple pleasure and gives us all an opportunity to escape from the confines of the house and wheelchair into an independent world where disability makes no odds. Encouragement, ideas and information give confidence to work wonders with a daunting patch. Money is a vital component and one where the Trust is pleased to help”.

Typically, grants can be used to pay for:

o Raised beds,
o Poly tunnels.
o Greenhouses.
o Tools.
o Small-scale garden adaptations (for example, access pathways).
o Plants and shrubs, and
o Compost

Grants cannot be used to pay for:

o Fencing.
o Gates.
o Seating.
o Clearing.
o General ongoing maintenance.
o Turf, or
o Tree removal.

Additionally, the Trust does not award grants for children.

Further information, guidance and an application form can be found on the Trust’s website.

Applications may be made at any time via the application form available on the Trust’s website and following the instructions provided.