WYRE Forest Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is encouraging people with learning and physical disabilities to take part in a gardening and horticultural project.

The Together We Involve Gardening Services (TWIGS) project, run in conjunction with The Emily Jordan Foundation, provides opportunities to gain new skills, knowledge and experiences.

Taking place at Brinton Park in Kidderminster, individuals attending TWIGS have the chance to get involved in planting, watering and general care of plants, fruit and vegetables.

Trainees also get involved in serving customers and selling the produce at Brinton Park and at a number of locations across Worcestershire.

The project has grown since launched in 2013, now offering a refurbished greenhouse, improved flower, fruit and vegetable beds and a safer and more vibrant environment for the trainees and volunteers to work in.

Dr Simon Rumley, chairman and clinical lead for NHS Wyre Forest CCG, said: “This is a great project offering valuable skills and experiences to people with learning and physical disabilities in Wyre Forest.

“The CCG are very happy to be able to support the project and we’ve been impressed with how much the project has developed over the past 12 months.”

The Emily Jordan Foundation is a charity which supports individuals with moderate learning and physical disabilities.

It provides training environments tailored to ensure users can maximise their skills and increase their chances of securing paid employment.

Brian Strange, projects and education manager at The Emily Jordan Foundation, said: “The TWIGS project has gone from strength to strength, growing rapidly over the last 12 months.

“The help and support from the CCG has enabled us to provide varied opportunities based around horticulture and gardening.

“This project really gives our individuals opportunities to develop practical, social and personal skills in a real work-based environment.”