A note from our Founder…

Having no idea about where to start with my final blog, I thought I would go right back to the very beginning.
I was between jobs with no real plan about what I was going to do, but I was full of energy and had a touch of ‘can do’ attitude. I blogged Launching The Red Shed on the 18 th June 2018 – at that time I had an idea, a handful of interested folk happy to join me on the adventure and lots of experience of the positive effects of gardening for wellbeing. The biggest thing missing was a home, but the perfect piece of land was just a few weeks away and then we really got started. By the beginning of July, we had a piece of land in the corner of a primary school field. It was overgrown, neglected and absolutely perfect!

Our original group of 4 participants, 2 volunteers and myself worked together to create the roots of the garden we have today. Without even thinking about ‘stakeholder involvement’ the group all had some input and the garden was designed around the needs of those with dementia right from the start. We had an active man who needed a safe space to be able to walk about with freedom and another who was in a wheelchair and enjoyed table top gardening in an accessible area. The carers needed a space to share issues and support each other. It was also clear that The Red Shed needed to be available for people on a regular basis and all year around. It was always important to me to be a recognised organisation so there was an underpinning of everything we did through policies, procedures, DBS checks and safeguarding. I had two wonderfully supportive Directors alongside me and we were registered as a Community Interest Company in October 2018. There was no Business Plan, Funding Plan, Marketing Plan, Action Plan which is
probably not the best way of doing things, but I had no experience of working with these tools and had to learn on the way.

….And what a ride! I’ve had the time of my life, from meeting challenges and most especially meeting some of the most amazing people I’ve ever come across, the last 6¾ years have been some of my best.
Looking through the catalogue of Blogs, the news, events and achievements are all there and tell a story for everyone involved to be proud of.

One thing that was planned from the start was that I was going to retire – whatever happened – when I turned 60. So, my last day has been set as the 28 th February 2025 since the moment The Red Shed popped into my head.
The timing is perfect, we have a great organisation – a registered charity I’m delighted to say! – a Board of Trustees who’s varied experience brings a wealth of knowledge and ideas. A brilliant team of committed, compassionate and joyful volunteers, and a staff team whose dedication to the work of The Red Shed keeps the whole thing together, improving and growing. I am so happy to leave my successor Derek in the driving seat – his enthusiasm is infectious AND – he does have a clue about Business Plans et al!!

I found my retirement send-off quite overwhelming, with good wishes from the organisations I have worked alongside as well as lovely words from Red Shedders who have meant so much to me. It was a fabulous way to end the adventure and launch the next stage of my life…..what ever that may be!

So now I have retired as CEO but I can never retire as Founder, so it’s not farewell
but see you all soon!!

Su