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Tucked away on a 1-acre site between the New Bedford Road and the River Lea, this friendly therapeutic garden for adults offers gardening and outdoor activities 3 days a week all year round.
Tucked away on a 1-acre site between the New Bedford Road and the River Lea, this friendly therapeutic garden for adults offers gardening and outdoor activities 3 days a week all year round.
Summary
Summary
People come here to enjoy nature, feel more connected, learn new skills and improve their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. The garden is open to everyone, but you must be over 18 years of age. The project is run by Roots Community Based Recovery Services.
At the garden, you can:
grow plants and organic produce
take part in on-site workshops such as woodwork and up-cycling
learn about wildlife, horticulture and sustainability
get to meet other people, and nurture and grow friendships
Penrose Roots 2 Recovery Garden, off New Bedford Road (A6), Luton, LU3 1LL
Getting here
Getting here
Address
Address
Penrose Roots to Recovery Garden, New Bedford Road, Luton LU3 1LL.
Walking
Walking
Most people walk to the site. Surrounding political wards include Barnfield, Biscot Bramingham, High Town, Round Green and Saints.
Public transport
Public transport
The nearest bus stop is on New Bedford Road and is served by bus routes 35, 41, 78, 79, 81 and 755.
Parking
Parking
On-street parking is available in nearby Cranleigh Gardens and Fountains Road. Wardown Park car park is a 5-minute walk away.
Harvesting raspberries in summer
Video about Penrose Roots on ITV
Relaxing with a cuppa
Opening times
Opening times
The garden is open all year in most weathers from 10am to 3pm every:
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday
Participants can stay for as long or as little as they like during opening times.
Costs
Costs
Activities are free.
Some excursions or workshops require a small contribution.
Hot drinks are available for £1 per day, which includes the occasional treat.
Who can join activities here?
Who can join activities here?
Anyone over the age of 18 can come to the garden. We usually have around 6 to 16 people at our site, accompanied by a minimum of 2 members of staff at any one time. People at the garden come from many different communities in Luton, and are a mix of genders. Most volunteers are aged between 40 and 65.
We also support people:
who are in recovery from substance addiction
with mental ill health
with offending behaviour
with learning disabilities
who have been homeless
who are unemployed
Facilities
Facilities
A composting toilet is available on site.
Hot drinks are available for £1 per day and we'll offer the occasional treat.
There is some shelter from rain.
Accessibility
Accessibility
The site has step-free access via New Bedford Road. However, the ground is uneven, and can be muddy and wet. Contact us to discuss specific access needs.
Carers or support workers are welcome to accompany the person they work with.
How to sign up
How to sign up
Taster sessions
Taster sessions
We recommend you try the activities for a few days to see how you enjoy them. You can just walk in during our opening times, no booking required.
Membership
Membership
After you have been with us for a few sessions, Roots will invite you become a member. There's a simple registration process, which we can help you to complete.
About the staff
About the staff
All staff are DBS checked. They also receive comprehensive training, including on first aid, risk assessments, safeguarding, mental health first aid, equality and diversity, conflict resolution, drug and alcohol awareness, and GDPR.
Volunteering
Volunteering
Some Roots staff were members themselves!
After 6 weeks of being a regular member, you may be able to become a lead volunteer and take a more active voluntary role. You will have access to training that can help you towards employability.
Good to know
Good to know
Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Bring a hat in summer and wrap up warm in winter.
You do not have to take part in activities, but staff may gently encourage you.
There's a WhatsApp group for members to keep everyone up to date, for example if the garden has to be closed due to weather.
The composting toilet is easy and hygienic to use - full instructions will be given.
Showing off homegrown roots at Roots
“Roots is a wonderful place, and I feel blessed to be able to come here. People don’t judge, which I am grateful for. I love the people at Roots.”
More about Roots Community Based Recovery Services (CBRS)
More about Roots Community Based Recovery Services (CBRS)
CBRS is an award-winning garden-based project providing a therapeutic growing space to reduce social isolation, and increase physical and emotional wellbeing for the most vulnerable people in Luton.
Roots brings people together, nurturing and growing friendships, not just vegetables. We help people become happier, healthier and job-ready through various learning opportunities. For many people, coming to the garden is their only time to socialise outside their accommodation, participate in activities independently and meet new people.
Our regular attendees have lived experience, and joined Penrose Roots because they were experiencing or recovering from social isolation, trauma, mental ill-health, substance use, neurodiversity, homelessness, learning disabilities, abuse and criminal justice system history.
The garden is funded by the National Lottery and Bedfordshire and Luton Communities Foundation.
CBRS is part of the Social Interest Group (SIG) - visit the SIG website.
Still have a question?
Still have a question?
For general questions about this activity, contact the Luton Health and Nature Partnership.
Alternatively, contact the project manager at Roots Community Based Recovery Services (CBRS) directly:
Sam Smith [contact email]
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