Twigs boosted by Gannett grant (From Swindon Advertiser)

Twigs boosted by Gannett grant

3:00pm Wednesday 22nd September 2010 in Cheney Manor News

POWER tools have given a boost to the conservation and outreach work of charity Twigs

Twigs – Therapeutic Work in Gardening – was awarded £3,000 from the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of the Swindon Advertiser’s parent company Gannett, last year.

Phyllida Richards, senior supervisor at Twigs, said that the tools had made a huge difference to a number of projects that the charity is working on.

“We had a generous grant to get lots of new and good quality tools, brands that made a huge difference, such as a pair of cordless secateurs,” she said.

“They are power-assisted so everyone can have a go at pruning and be more effective.

“It means that people feel they are really contributing to the project.”

Twigs, which is based at Manor Garden Centre at Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, provides a service for people seeking improvement to their mental health well-being through crafts and gardening.

It has a plant nursery, organic allotment site, wildlife haven, replica iron-age roundhouse and themed gardens which are open to the public.

Phyllida said the group are working on a conservation project at Nightingale Woods and doing some outreach work at Rodbourne Cheney School.

“We are planting a Willow Field at Upham Road Day Centre and the tools have been invaluable there,” she said.

“With outreach work we are working in the wider community so the grant has benefited others outside Twigs.’’ Other tools the charity bought thanks to the Gannett grant are a new tool cage, a chainsaw and a petrol-driven hedge trimmer.

The Gannett Foundation supports projects that take a creative approach to issues, including assisting disadvantaged people, neighbourhood improvements, education, youth development and environmental conservation.