Le Cheile, a new social enterprise

• 29 Dec 2023
• |
• Ireland

Our social therapeutic horticulture team in County Cork has set up Le Cheile. It is a new social enterprise providing engagement for, and participation by, people with autism. Le Cheile has commercialised its activity and is now selling boxes of produce.

The initiative provides skills training for people supported by Praxis Care through a work placement programme. This leads to direct community engagement and participation. More than 40 people have completed both one-to-one and group-based social therapeutic horticulture programmes, led by manager Anita O’Brien.

Gardens in Greenville and Crobally

“We have invested in both our gardens in Greenville and Crobally to provide accessible raised beds, a kitchen garden, sensory garden and glasshouse and have extended to include woodlands, an orchard, 3 polytunnels, a fruit garden and an outdoor education space,” explained Ms. O’Brien.

She went on to say, “The benefits of these resources for people with autism cannot be underestimated and our small team of part-time horticulturalists and volunteers have achieved wonders in terms of encouragement of participation,”

1st Anniversary

The Le Cheile social enterprise began quietly in December 2022 and continues to grow. Ms. O’Brien says plans for future commercialisation are under way following market testing.

“Volumes are very small but nonetheless we have proven the point that very high quality vegetables and fruit grown in a social enterprise environment which benefits people with autism can be a winning combination,“ she says. Produce from the gardens include cucumbers, aubergines, broad beans and edible flowers. Boxes have been retailing at €5.