Residents with learning disabilities and their families from all over Hillingdon have been shocked to hear that the council has decided to close the award-winning Rural Activities Garden Centre (RAGC) on West Drayton Road in Yiewsley. For over 40 years, the RAGC has provided much needed opportunities for gardening work experience and social connection for vulnerable young people across Hillingdon, particularly those with autism and/or learning disabilities or mental health problems.
These disabled users and their families had just 48 hours notice of the meeting at which the closure was announced by the council, yet there were over 50 attendees at this meeting which was on 30th May. After the announcement of the closure, there were tears at the meeting as, for some users of the RAGC, closure would have serious long term consequences on their health and wellbeing. For others it would mean the loss of a pathway to employment.
There were many questions asked to the council officers at the meeting, but few answers. In many cases the officers asked for questions to be submitted in writing. There was no agenda for the meeting and no written information was provided for attendees to take away. A Cabinet meeting on 26th June at the Civic Centre (starting at 7pm) will formally make the decision about closure and members of the public can attend this meeting as observers.
No consultation has taken place with those affected by the closure, or with their professional carers. A local GP at the closure meeting expressed alarm that she would be unable to send her patients with mental health difficulties to use the RAGC if it closed. Subsequent enquiries have indicated that NHS primary care services in the borough were not aware of the proposed closure, although they are now trying to find out more.
There were still outstanding questions when the council officers ended the closure meeting. Shortly after, there was agreement from people at the meeting to create a petition to request proper consultation and to oppose the closure of the RAGC. At the time of writing, this has reached over 4,000 signatures, demonstrating the strength of feeling across the borough on this issue. This will enable a 5 minute presentation about the closure to be made to the Cabinet, but the petition remains open for more new signatures please. The link to this petition is:
The RAGC also benefits from residents who volunteer at the centre, with some volunteers having helped there for over 30 years. They help provide Christmas meals for the vulnerable adults who use the centre and they also help provide a social event for users in the summer. This is one of the reasons why the care provided by the centre is such excellent value for the council. The RAGC is also a community asset for the general public who enjoy buying the good quality plants and other garden items, many of which are produced by users of the centre.
We have personal experience of how good the RAGC is. Our son has learning disabilities and a mental health problem and has been going there for over 10 years. His supervised voluntary work at RAGC often involves weeding and sweeping and this work gives a great lift to his wellbeing as he loves doing something useful. He also benefits from the friendly supportive atmosphere created by the brilliant staff at the RAGC. There are also opportunities for him to socialise during his tea-breaks with fellow volunteer gardeners with learning disabilities. These benefits help to manage his sometimes challenging behaviour, so the risk of him needing more intensive social care inputs is reduced.
RAGC is an irreplaceable and unique social care asset much-loved by its users, their families and residents who visit it. We hope the council will start proper consultation about its closure decision soon, leading to the closure decision being withdrawn.
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