My Life’s Standish site will continue to bloom!

Lots of people have asked us what is happening to our animals and all our beautiful plants and crops whilst the Covid-19 pandemic is happening? Whilst observing social distancing, a few key staff and volunteers are looking after them.

We’re continuing to keep our animals fed, watered and exercised. We are also keeping all the horticulture going, to ensure our students and members have a flourishing place to come back to! A big thanks to key people who have come in over the weekend to help out WHILST observing social distancing of course – it really is very much appreciated.

Day Opportunities at Standish have been busy growing our crops and flowers this year. We’ve been nurturing and tending to these as part of the activities for those members who are still attending and have found it the perfect job to do with social distancing in place!

We are in the process of filling the polytunnels, greenhouse and outdoor spaces with plants such lettuce, beetroot, broccoli, carrots, onions and the like.

Audrey Hepburn said: “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” We are following that philosophy and will be very excited to see the results of the plants we have grown from seed and will hopefully be able to reap the rewards in a few months, whether it be in our hampers, the pop-up kitchen, or in The Stable Door Café, when things return to normal.

We are planning strawberry planting areas that can hopefully be used by everyone on their return and a pumpkin patch for later in the year (they take a while to grow!!) We are also in the process of spreading our growing bug to our My Life members who aren’t currently here with us on site, watch this space…

We’ve had lots of queries to ask if our Standish site can be accessed by people walking to it via public footpaths. The answer to this is yes, but we need to know when this is happening so that we can ensure that there is enough space for you to observe safe distancing. Simply call our Reception on 01257 472 900 and we can book you in.

Teresa Harfield, Standish Day Opportunities Manager