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MK CIC

We aim to encourage positive emotional, mental, physical health and wellbeing through social & therapeutic horticulture

Branch-out MK CIC is a Community Interest Company. We are a not for profit organisation that helps people to grow through gardening using Social & Therapeutic Horticulture. We support adults in our community who experience mental health issues and/or learning difficulties. Individuals can be referred through Milton Keynes Council, local GP’s or through self referral. Individuals who attend our sessions are encouraged to help improve their emotional, mental, physical health & wellbeing through Social & Therapeutic Horticulture. Through attending sessions in our supportive working environment, gardeners help to maintain the gardens and learn how to grow a variety of cut flowers. Every person that attends our sessions will improve their self confidence, learn new practical skills and enjoy a relaxed social atmosphere where they can meet new people and make new friends.

Branch-out MK CIC is based at York House Community Centre in Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes, where we help to manage and maintain the York House Community Gardens.

We are currently developing (and have now nearly completed) our cutting garden from where we are growing and selling our own cut flowers. We also dry our home grown foliage & flowers to make wonderful, long-lasting seasonal arrangements including topiary, wreathes, hand tied bouquets, pomanders, pot pourri, etc. We can help you to keep your memories of any special occasion alive through preserving your flowers. Home made scented candles, garden gifts and pressed flower crafts are also available.

Branch-out MK CIC are open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00am to 2.00pm (for plant, flower and garden gift sales). Our social & therapeutic horticulture sessions run from 9.30am to 2.30pm, these are available as either full or half day options.

Cut & Dried Flowers

We specialise in growing a wide range of flowers suitable for both cutting and drying with nature foremost in our minds.

We use peat free compost wherever possible and do not use pesticides, instead we believe that it is more important to care for the soil and the wildlife in our garden, to encourage a healthy balance. We grow plants that encourage beneficial insects, especially those that attract bees, butterflies and bumble bees. We have log and stone piles to provide shelter for frogs and toads who in turn help to control the slugs and snails. Hedgehogs, birds and foxes are frequent visitors to our garden. We also make our own compost and plant based liquid feeds, so not only taking from but giving back to the garden at every opportunity.

We don’t believe that flowers should travel for almost a fortnight half way across the globe to go to an auction only to travel back from Europe, to then sit in a shop and eventually arrive to sit on our tables. Neither do we believe that they should be dipped in fungicides and treated with chemicals to prolong their shelf and vase life.

We believe that flowers should smell like flowers, and that you should be able to access all sorts of flowers that are seasonal throughout the year. Imagine sumptuous bouquets and posies that are freshly picked on that day, flowers that have all the beauty of years gone by, old fashioned scents, colours and textures. Lily of the Valley, Parrot Tulips, Bleeding Hearts and tree blossoms in Spring, Cornflowers, poppies, big blousy Paeonies, Sweet Peas and Roses in Summer, fiery oranges and reds of Autumn with Dahlias, Gourds and Pumpkins, Hellebores, evergreens, fabulous twigs, cones and seed-heads for arrangements, wreaths and garlands in Winter. Roses that hark back nostalgically to a perfect summers day ……

We also make complimentary candles, dried flower arrangements and hand made garden gifts. But the main thing is that we do all of this whilst supporting adults in our community; teaching new skills and providing a supportive, relaxing and calm environment in which to build confidence, self esteem, friendships and a belief that for that person anything is possible.