Perfect Christmas Gift for Gardeners!

When Julie Squires started volunteering at Flower Pod a year ago, little did she think that she would be designing new products for them to sell! But Julie has come up with the idea of a gardener’s gift trug, containing items made or grown in Flower Pod’s garden. The proceeds will go to Flower Pod and help fund Reach Learning Disability’s work with adults with learning disabilities across Nottinghamshire.

Each trug contains seeds form Flower Pod and sowing instructions, a terracotta plant pot, plant labels, a gardener’s bath soak, an indoor heart shaped dried flower wreath and a £10 Flower Pod gift voucher.

Julie said “I know lots of people struggle to find a suitable gift for gardeners, so I thought this would be a great year-round present. It has been a lovely project for Flower Pod’s clients with learning disabilities, who have been painting the plant pots, sanding the plant labels and packing the bath soak too.”

Julie started volunteering at the Flower Pod after her daughter spotted an article asking for help with flower arranging. At that time, her only experience of flower arranging was making silk flower bouquets for her daughter’s wedding, but now she can make button holes, corsages and wreaths. Her day job is as a PA in a busy accountancy practice in Nottingham, so she loves the relaxed atmosphere at Flower Pod.

“It is like being on holiday for the day when you come here. It is so rewarding volunteering at Flower Pod – I would encourage anybody who likes crafts to come along. We are one big family, with the staff, volunteers and clients all working together. There is a huge amount of support, so you can learn new skills.”

The Gardener’s Gift Trugs are available from Flower Pod for £20 each and can be ordered by calling 01636 918271 or email flowerpod@reachuk.org. Flower Pod are still taking orders for Christmas wreaths too, at £25 each.

Flower Pod is always looking for volunteers to help with gardening, flower arranging and working with people with learning disabilities.