About Us

The Red Shed Project is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Reg number 1202545. We provide a service for those living with Dementia, their carers and families.

Our qualified Horticultural Therapist, supported by trained and experienced volunteers, deliver garden-based activities and experiences.  We aim to improve and enhance physical and mental health, well being and alleviate loneliness and isolation.

Gardening is one of the most popular past-times in the UK and Horticultural Therapy is a proven way of helping people benefit from engaging with the garden.  We adapt activities to provide sensory stimulation, exercise, promote a sense of purpose and achievement.  Our activities range from growing flowers, fruit and vegetables to garden crafts. 

Attending workshops at The Red Shed provides many benefits including

• Getting Active – being active in the garden can keep you fit and and improve your muscle strength.  Keeping strong can improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.  If you are working from a chair you are using upper body muscles and improving grip and fine motor skills. (handling ability)
• Learning – we love to try new things at The Red Shed and it’s be proven that learning in an outdoor environment is easier as concentration, attention and memory all work better.

After attending one of our workshops Dorothy, who has Dementia, told us ‘I’ve had a lovely time I didn’t think I would be able to learn something new!’

• Giving you time and skills to keeping our garden looking great for others to enjoy is great for self-esteem.  Also making something lovely like a hanging basket or growing something tasty all to take home for friends and family to enjoy mean that you are able to make a difference to others.
• Connect with others – we work together and stop for a cuppa together, it’s a great chance to have social interaction in a supportive, understanding group. 
• Taking notice – or being mindful – is enhanced by being in an outside space and surrounded by nature.  This is a proven way to lift mood, reduce stress and anxiety.

After another workshop, staff from a local care home reported;  ‘It was the best outing they had ever done’, one participant’s ‘whole mood lifted for several days as a result’

Our service is primarily offered in the Hertfordshire area, both from our own garden in Stevenage and out and about for other organisations.

Our site is based in the grounds of St Vincent’s Primary School in Stevenage.  We have created an ‘access all areas’ garden where we provide a variety of sessions for those with Dementia; meeting their individual needs and abilities.  We also support and engage with the families and carers of people living with Dementia by including them in workshops and providing time just for them.

We work with the Alzheimer’s Society and Stevenage Borough Council on the creation of Dementia Friendly Communities in Stevenage.

GOVERNANCE

Our staff and volunteers are all DBS checked.

Our Annual Accounts, Governing Documents, Safeguarding and Equality Policies are all available on request.

The Project is a registered charity (1202545) funded by grants and donations and run with charitable principles with all profit reinvested back into the organisation