Health & Social Care Moray has identified Greenfingers training project, a social and therapeutic horticultural service for adults, for closure on 30 September 2024.
People receiving the service are being supported by social work staff to transition to bespoke opportunities that will help them further develop their independence and employability skills. This includes accessing appropriate alternative support services and day opportunities, or programmes already being successfully delivered in the community.
The closure of the Moray Council run service, which is currently subject to workforce consultation, was approved during the confidential section of the meeting of the Moray Integration Joint Board (IJB) on 30 May 2024.
Located within the Cooper Park Nursery in Elgin, Greenfingers provides education, training and practical work experience opportunities for adults with additional support needs who may have limited access to further education and paid employment. The clients, supported by staff, use greenhouses and poly tunnels to grow plants for community projects and support floral displays throughout Moray.
Greenfingers has undergone operational review since re-opening in 2022 following temporary closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. The internal review identified that the service had limited scope for strategic development. Fewer people with assessed support needs have been choosing to access the service and the number of new starts continues to fall. There are currently 11 people accessing the service, with daily attendance varying between three and eight people.
Additionally, no funding is available to carry out necessary improvements to welfare facilities on site to ensure clients and staff have access to acceptable washing, toilet, rest and changing facilities. The upgrade costs are estimated at up to ยฃ440,000.
Health & Social Care Moray needs to achieve savings of ยฃ10.2m this financial year to balance its budget. The closure of Greenfingers, which will save ยฃ262,000 annually, is part of a series of efficiency proposals being taken forward as part of the financial recovery plan to address the funding gap while protecting essential services.
Councillor Tracy Colyer, Chair of the IJB, said: โWe completely understand that closing the project is really difficult for those involved who will have a strong attachment to Greenfingers. The decision is in no way a reflection of the great work which has gone on at the service over the years.
โStaff are working closely with clients, their families and carers to ensure they are supported throughout this transition period as they look to take up alternative opportunities available to help them continue to achieve the outcomes that matter to them.โ
Moray Council has comprehensive change management procedures in place to support staff members affected by the closure.
