Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND)

At Let’s Grow Preston, we provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for people with additional needs to learn, grow and gain real-life skills through outdoor activities.

We work with schools, colleges, carers and families to support individuals with a wide range of needs, including:

Autism (ASC)
Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
Moderate learning difficulties
Additional physical needs

What We Offer

We offer practical, hands-on sessions in a supportive outdoor setting. Activities may include:

Planting, growing and harvesting crops
Working in polytunnels and outdoor spaces
Light maintenance and gardening tasks
Developing teamwork and communication skills

Sessions can be tailored to suit the needs, abilities and interests of each individual or group.

Support and Accessibility

We understand that every one of our volunteers is different. We work closely with our volunteers, schools, carers and families to ensure the right level of support is in place.

Visits can be arranged for individuals or small groups
Teachers, carers or support staff are welcome to attend
Tasks can be adapted to suit different abilities
Low tables and adapted tools are available
All sites have full wheelchair access

Our team aims to create a calm, structured environment where learners feel confident, safe and able to succeed.

Outcomes for Volunteers

Our sessions are designed to support:

Confidence and self-esteem
Independence and life skills
Engagement with learning
Preparation for employment or further education

For a more comprehensive look at outcomes for our volunteers, check out our Case Studies.

Feedback

Here is a statement from a specialist autism school in Preston for children and young people between 11-19 years that visited Let's Grow Preston:

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank you personally and as an organisation for giving our learners the opportunity of valuable work experience, enhancing their academic outcomes and future life prospects.

The first session yesterday started with a wonderful orientation walk led by Chris Taylor. The learner was put at ease by Chris, who then handed our team over to Donna, who then set out the tasks for the day, which was to pick ripe tomatoes in the poly tunnel. The level of support offered to our learners was fantastic, which gave the pupils the confidence to take the task on independently (with support solely from our teaching assistant). Throughout the time we spent there yesterday the pupils were fully engaged and enjoyed themselves immensely.

Brookview School hope that we can utilise your amazing facility for the foreseeable future, it is an ideal resource that has a positive impact on the lives of our pupils. Furthermore it delivers an opportunity to implement knowledge gained in the classroom."

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