Who We Are
Growing Places-Berkshire is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in Wokingham, Berkshire, providing opportunities for people with learning disabilities through social and therapeutic activities, training and practical work experience in horticulture.
​Our objectives are set out in our Constitution which is registered with the Charities Commission No. 1097671 and was formally established in 2003.
We have a strong Trustee team with all round sector and business experience supported by an operations team managing the day to day growing and selling of plants and vegetables.
David Baker
Chair and Treasurer
Brian Stainton
Secretary
Robert Sinclair
Trustee
Mike Westrop
Trustee
Neil Dunlop
Trustee
Optalis Wokingham is our service partner, providing the key people to run the market garden and site services on a day to day basis and is responsible for insurances, land lease, on-site buildings and the safety and well-being of our clients. Optalis is the main provider of adult care services for those with learning disabilities to Wokingham Borough Council.
The operations team meets every 3 months to review the needs of the clients, decide on priorities for improvements, plan the ordering of plants and other essential consumables and organise the sales events which take place throughout the year.
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Operations Committee Members
​David Baker, Mike Westrop and Neil Dunlop from the Trustees.
Sally Precious and Jo-Anne Wilden from Optalis. Danny Pitts representing our clients.
Valerie Baker, Keith Enfield and Dennis Craske as Associate Supporters.​
Our Volunteer Team
We have a group of dedicated, enthusiastic volunteers who carry out essential repairs and maintenance work, keeping the site safe for our clients and improving the facilities they have at their disposal. ​​​
Our Clients
And finally, we never lose sight of the fact that everything we do is for the benefit of our clients, who are all local adults with learning disabilities.​