The Museum of English Rural Life
What we do
The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL), part of Reading University, runs a weekly session with its garden volunteers, the Wednesday Wheelbarrows, and provides supported gardening sessions for local community groups to promote health, wellbeing and creativity. The MERL also provides regular outdoor play and education sessions for children.
The museum garden is a green oasis in the middle of Reading and is open to everyone during museum opening hours. As well as a large lawn providing space for picnics and children’s activities, the garden includes herbaceous borders, a wildflower bank, a woodland area and a variety of specimen trees. Additionally, six raised beds are used for specific community growing projects.
Sessions
Sessions are generally geared to the needs and interests of the participants. Friday Fledglings is weekly outdoor session for toddlers and their carers, while Green Explorers gives older children the chance to learn about nature (see The MERL website for details). Community organisations including Launchpad 135, Reading Community Learning Centre, Alana House, Mencap Reading, Care4Calais and the Refugee Support Group have partnered with The MERL to attend gardening courses with their clients.
The garden is wheelchair accessible and sessions are able to support individuals with mild mental health issues. Indoor spaces are available for community groups, enabling sessions to continue during bad weather. Pre-booking is required and there is a fee for some activities.
Join us
For further information or to attend a session, see the MERL website or email: p.heath2@reading.ac.uk.
