Cherry Tree is unique in offering a service addressing the needs of the whole person, in addition to therapeutic and varied work rehabilitation. The most essential service we provide is a twice- weekly visit from a specialist Disability Rights Advisor, provided by the local Citizens’ Advice Bureau. She provides help with filling in forms and accessing benefits, information on entitlements, and advice on a wide range of issues ranging from housing and debt to information on employment. No one is able to think about working if they are homeless or have no money, so this service underpins all we do, and is integral to the service we provide.

Cherry Tree also offers many additional services, including:
* Advice and support from a Community Psychiatric Nurse
* Sessions with a Disability Employment Adviser
* Advice and help with finding and starting training courses
* Referral to specialist services where required
* Help with obtaining accommodation, furniture and clothing
* Support and advice with problems, on site or by telephone
* Help for those who are, or are likely to become, homeless
* A washing machine, drier and shower room on site
* Special funding to cover emergency transport
* Presentations from other services and support networks

Cherry Tree organises a variety of visits and events throughout the year to give volunteers the opportunity to socialise and see more of the world.  For many of the volunteers it is the only opportunity they have to experience such visits.  They have been to places from the Tower of London to the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

The annual Harry Roffey Day outing, held in memory of a former trustee, has taken them to gardens including Kew Gardens, RHS Wisley and Forde Abbey. Other trips involve activities such as bird-watching, learning about herbs, or canoeing.

There have also been a selection of Cherry Tree holidays involving camping, or staying in caravans or hostels.  There have been organised visits to the Eden Project and the National Botanical Garden of Wales.  Many volunteers have never had a holiday before, and going away together builds the confidence and strength of the group and helps overcome obstacles in their lives such as fear and anxiety.

As friendships develop and confidence grows, volunteers start organizing their own trips together, going to the cinema, meeting for coffee, things they would never have done before.  It gives them the opportunity to realise that they do not need to be isolated by their mental illness, and that there is a place for them in the world.

Volunteers are offered many opportunities to learn new skills and develop new interests through doing courses.  Weekly classes are held in Literacy, Numeracy and English with the use of Computers.  Every winter a fascinating selection of Horticultural courses are on offer, which from time to time the general public are also offered the opportunity to enjoy. This also helps to fund further courses for our volunteers. We also offer volunteers occasional one-off courses such as First Aid and Food Hygiene.

Some volunteers gain the confidence to attend college courses outside the nursery and over the years a wide range of topics have been studied and qualifications gained. Many volunteers have not had the opportunity to study in the past, and these courses can open up new horizons for them.

This is a very special day in May when everyone works together in teams to pot 20,000 plants in one day. This unites us all with a common goal and provides the nursery with fresh, new  stock. The event takes a great deal of preparation and hard work, from grading the plants to printing the pot labels and organising the drinks and sandwiches. We all go home at the end of the day tired, but very happy and satisfied. 

‘There is a wonderful atmosphere, as people work as hard as possible whatever the weather, and a great sense of achievement, as the day gives everyone the opportunity to show what they can do, working together and making new friends’