Volunteer 2012 - ongoing

Following some difficult and traumatic life changing decisions, I was advised by a local walking group member to contact The Walled Garden Project. I made an appointment to see the Project Manager Rozz Crockford. On my visit I was shown around and introduced to all the staff and other volunteers. I was made to feel very welcome and so joined as a volunteer. I have now been with them for nearly 5 years. I have grown in confidence and feel a valued member of the team which has increased my self esteem. I am more assertive and so able to make major decisions and have a voice which is heard. I have the opportunity to learn new skills and  make new friends. The Staff at The Walled Garden Project are like extended family and always happy to listen and help me when needed.

Richard Ward.

Local Resident - 2016

I have lived in Tong Norton for some forty years. During this time I have know Rozz Crockford and her family as neighbours and as active members of our community.

I have also been aware of her involvement with The Walled Garden Project for the past 12 years. For the most part of this time I have been editor of the parish magazine and Rozz has sent me regular updates on the progress of the charity to publish. It is obviously a dynamic and serious-minded organisation and as such well-respected locally. I know that Rozz is highly responsible and deeply committed to her work.

When my husband was chairman of the Parish Council he took an interest in the charity's work. He spoke warmly of what they were doing to accommodate their clients.

Following the death of my husband I have personally benefited from the help of one young client, Tom, in my own garden. Under Rozz's supervision and with her careful explanations of horticultural and health and safety issues, he has done numerous jobs to help with its maintenance. He is a joy to know.

Mrs R.M 

Cruckton Hall School (Cruckton, Shropshire) 2016 - ongoing

I first approached Rozz and Emma from The Walled Garden Project and asked them to come and have a chat about the kind of work they do. From that first meeting, I knew that they would bring a new dimension to our curriculum. They are enthusiastic and passionate about the work they do. They are well organised with many ideas of engaging our students, many of whom have challenging behaviour. Nothing is too much trouble for them. They are very, calm and professional motivating our students. They helped with our Christmas Event and have some ideas for developing the KS4 curriculum. Our students have certainly benefited from The Walled Garden Project under the direction of Rozz and Emma and I have no doubt they would enhance any students learning.

In addition to delivery on our site, One of our Post 16 students meets with Rozz and Emma at The Walled Garden Project one day each week, where he has had an excellent experience.

Ann Spowart

Deputy Head

Southall School (Dawley, Shropshire) 2004 - 2013

The Walled Garden Project provides an environment and opportunity for vocational work for students which could not be offered by a school. Students are enthusiastic about the activities and challenges offered. Content of sessions is varied and well planned, and the tools and equipment are provided on site. It is a wonderful learning environment for staff and students.

Progress in restoration of the garden is visible for the students and they feel part of the project. Project staff are enthusiatic, knowledgeable and totally professional in their approach and have created a very special working environment. Work is beautifully presented and students are proud of their achievements. Various accreditation schemes are in operation.

A worthwhile experience.

Alistair J. M. Bates
Head Teacher  

Walford & North Shropshire College (Oswestry) 2004 - 2011

The provision offered by the Walled Garden Project is the only one of its kind in the area. The rural activities that take place have proven to be of benefit to our students and to the environment.

Cheryl Greaves
Head of School, Continuing Education 

Madeley Court School (Telford, Shropshire) 2006

The Walled Garden Project has provided a high quality learning environment to re-engage students who have found traditional approaches difficult to access.

Allen Baynes
Director, Student Services 

Wightwick Hall School (Wolverhampton) 2005

In my experience the Walled Garden Project offers a unique facility to enhance the learning of our students. Two groups of eight students take part. They have a range of learning difficulties including some on the autistic spectrum.

The Walled Garden Project offers a very stimulating experience which increases their confidence and gives them skills which aid their progress towards independence. At the same time it provides a real benefit to the environment through its rural activies. These skills are then taken back to school and then benefit our local community by enabling the students to use the skills they have learnt to initiate environmental and rural activites of their own.

I cannot express enough the good that has come of using the Walled Garden Project. Their staff are excellent and are able to communicate their enthusiasm to the pupils in a way that they appreciate and understand.

Mr Lyn Thomas
School Liaison Manager 

Haughton School (Madeley, Shropshire) 2004 - 2007

We've been using the Walled Garden Project for three years to support the learning needs of children with special educational needs.

The Project has been of enormous benefit to our pupils who do not have the oppotunities to experience the hands-on practical work that the Project offers.

The Project has been used to working with individual pupils, without which they may have faced an exclusion.

Mrs Belinda Logan
Head Teacher 

Weston Park 2004

The students enjoyed the challenge of the Project and were certainly stimulated by the practical activities taking place.

Claire Cumming
Special Educational Projects Manager