Features
Providing Real Choice
The growth of interest in organic farming has meant that it has become increasingly commercialised and we tend to overlook the committed back gardeners, community groups and training centres who utilise organic methods. Brooklodge Nursery at Ballyglunin, Co. Galway is one such centre that succeeds in combining a commercial enterprise with a happy and productive work ethos. In fact, it would be hard to find a more contented workforce anywhere.
New opportunities
The nursery began as an organic horticultural project fourteen years ago assisted by funding from an EU Horizion Programme. At the time, an old building that had previously been a monastery was donated to the project by the Franciscian Brothers and production began in an adjoining walled garden and field. It was taken over by the Galway Association to provide a service for people with intellectual disabilities and Christiane Gottschalk, the Unit Director, who joined the project at the outset and has seen it grow and develop over the years. "All our clients worked in other centres run by the association and the jobs would mainly have been factory type work," she explains. "Many of them come from farming backgrounds and were delighted to come here when the opportunity was offered". The organic ethos is an important aspect of the work in the centre. "It teaches the clients about the importance of a sustainable environment," Christiane says, "and it is our main selling point. We have had an organic symbol for twelve years. It also means that we don't have to worry about the clients handling hazardous chemicals".
Providing choice
Brooklodge began with six clients and has grown to the present eighteen. The old building was knocked down and replaced by a purpose built modern facility in 1999. The centre runs a two acre enterprise including five tunnels and a glasshouse. Field crops include carrots, parsnips, beans and onions. A wide range of salad crops are produced and also tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs under cover. Flowers and bedding plants are grown for window displays and hanging baskets. "Everything we produce is sold," Christiane says. "We were supplying 50 boxes weekly at one stage but we have reduced this now and intend to sell more of our produce directly to ease the management burden".
Managing eighteen people is no easy job and Brooklodge employs seven people between full and part time staff. Development of social policy means that clients are now much more involved in running the centre. "We get our clients to make decisions about the day to day issues and how we operate is tailored around them and their needs," says Christiane. "It gives them more choice and allows them to say what they need". When clients arrive in the morning everybody meets and jobs are allocated for the day. Apart from horticultural work, other developmental training takes place such as cookery classes where produce from the garden is cooked eaten. Time is also allocated for leisure activities such as swimming, horse riding and football.
Part of the attraction of Brooklodge for clients and staff is the varied work carried on. David McGrath is a senior instructor who has been with the association for twenty-one years. When the centre was opened he jumped at the chance to work there. "I'm basically an outdoor person and I have a good sized vegetable garden at home," he says. "It was an attractive challenge and there is great satisfaction in seeing the clients develop their abilities and take on responsibility. They appreciate that they have control of everything from seed to plate".
Favourite jobs
When we sat down to a communal lunch clients queued up to tell me how much they enjoyed working at Brooklodge. John Maloney, who doubles as a DJ in his spare time says "I grew up on a farm and this is the kind of work I like. Weeding carrots is my favourite job". There are many growers who would appreciate a few Johns to help out in the summer! Elaine Mullins says she "loves the garden and loves flowers and digging. It's great to work outside every day". The centre's first client, Jose Antonio, is the lawn mower man and enjoys cutting the grass while Niall Fahy says he meets nice people every day and lists weeding as his favourite job. Stephen Maddocks is the man for potting on and is particularly devoted to cookery classes. "I like making spaghetti Bolognese and making salads from the garden and cooking potatoes," he says.
Staff at Brooklodge make a huge effort to ensure that clients learn many skills. During the winter months they have opted to do woodwork and now produce a range of garden products like bird tables, bat boxes and nesting boxes. "We draw up simple plans and they really enjoy making them," Christiane says, "and we have plans to keep chickens and ducks at the centre as well". Much of the training is geared towards allowing clients to hold down mainstream jobs and to earn a viable wage. Former clients have gone on to part time employment and earn wages they had only previously dreamed of. "Issues like transport to work are a barrier," Christiane says "but once that is organised they go on to become dedicated workers and earn good pay in worthwhile employment".
Community support
Brooklodge enjoys substantial support from the local community and open days and plant sales are well supported. Families of clients are there to lend support when needed and help out with fund raising activities. Running the centre requires a high level of commitment from staff and clients and Brooklodge seems to have got the balance right. As David McGrath puts it "It's a very happy and healthy setting for everyone. It's rural and peaceful. Everyone who is here has chosen to be here and that leads to job satisfaction".
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