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What is SWOP?
The Sheltered Work Opportunities Project is a registered charity based in Bournemouth, serving the communities of East Dorset and West Hampshire. It was set up to address the great need for the meaningful occupation, in a supportive and pressure-free environment, for adults with severe and enduring mental illness. SWOP aims to use the therapeutic nature of horticulture to restore mental well-being.
The trustees of the charity, who meet quarterly, come from a wide variety of backgrounds including business, horticultural, accounting, teaching, healthcare and local council. SWOP is overseen by a Management Committee; the majority of members are nursery volunteers.
Cherry Tree Nursery
SWOP's first project, Cherry Tree Nursery, is now a successful commercial shrub nursery site on land belonging to Bournemouth Council. It has grown from 4 volunteers on 2 acres in 1990 to over 100 volunteers on 4.5 acres today. The nursery produces over 90,000 finished shrubs, 100,000 liners, 125 cuttings and 1,000 specimen-sized shrubs annually.
The nursery aims to provide a supportive family atmosphere and to address the individual needs of each volunteer. There is no time limit to anyone's stay, and the nursery also offers continuing support to those volunteers who have moved on.
Chestnut Nursery
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Why is SWOP Needed?
Research shows that, in any one year, 25% of the population experience a mental health problem. Many of these people want and need to fill their time usefully and productively, but feel unable to cope with the stresses and presures of open employment.
Sheltered work in a realistic but pressure free environment is often a good way to promote recovery by boosting self-esteem and confidence, providing companionship and mutual support, helping to dispel boredom and loneliness, and restore dignity.
Board of Trustees
- Martin Stewart - Chairman / Secretary
- Ray Bere - NSch
- Sheila Carson
- Cllr Ben Grower FCA
- Keith James FCCA - Treasurer
- Alan Livingstone
- June Wood Bsc - SROT
Due to the increasing demand for places at Cherry Tree, SWOP opened a second project in October 2001 at Chestnut Nursery in Poole. It offers 50 work placements to volunteers with severe and enduring mental illness.
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| Chestnut aims to provide a place where people can mix with others who truly empathise, make friends, and feel valued and respected, the project aims to help volunteers to gain confidence, self-esteem and dignity. Chestnut offers a wide range of activities, outings and events which can assist the volunteers in becoming more independent and broaden their outlook.
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