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09
Nov 2020
Horticap students 'absolutely gutted' at new lockdown
The new lockdown has delivered a fresh blow to Horticap's dedicated team of students, who have been unable to work at the popular garden centre on Otley Road since March.
The charity was established 37 years ago to offer adults with learning difficulties the chance to learn practical, personal and teamwork skills through gardening.
However, because many of their students have underlying health conditions, it's been decided that it would be safer for them to stay at home until the pandemic ends. Now, the charity's leaders fear the latest lockdown will have an even greater impact on mental health.
Phillip Airey, operations manager at Horticap, told the Stray Ferret:
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With Christmas approaching, the students would be normally be helping prepare for one of Horticap's busiest times of year, making holly wreaths and helping out in the new shop. Phillip said the staff are just about managing to keep the place ticking over until they come back, as normally, "the students basically do everything".
There have been dissenting voices on social media who have questioned why garden centres have been allowed to stay open, whereas other sectors have not. But Phillip said gardening has been crucial to people in Harrogate during this difficult year.
He added:
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