Tunnel Vision Community Horticulture Project received a Cork Environmental Forum Award last week, in recognition of “the extraordinary work and vision in promoting community integration through its horticultural and environmental project”. The awards ceremony took place on Thursday evening last, at the Firkin Crane, Shandon, where a presentation was made to members of the Tunnel Vision project for their outstanding work, under the ‘Community and Voluntary Sector’ category.
Cork Environmental Forum has been presenting Environmental Awards for many years and it continues to be an extremely popular event. Nominations are sought in several categories, and the winners were chosen by a select committee. The award categories include Business and Commercial, Public Sector, Community and Voluntary, Individual Action, as well as a Community Garden Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Tunnel Vision, based in Mallow, is a unique horticultural and environmental project that brings together a community through participation by local disability groups and other service users. The project focuses on highlighting ability and promoting community spirit by extending its training into the community and the natural environment. It has had over 70 participants with varying degrees of abilities and disabilities involved in numerous horticultural projects, big and small, since its inception in 2003.
Tunnel Vision focuses on the local environment and how the local community and individuals can maximise its potential. It therefore enters the arena waving the humanity flag rather than the disability flag. It values each participant as an individual and supports them to maximise their ability, through person centred programmes that greatly enhance their participation in the local community.
Tunnel Vision’s success has been acknowledged and recognised over the years by being supported by many community services, including Co. Cork VEC, Cope Foundation, National Learning Network, Irish Wheelchair Association, RAPID, Avondhu Blackwater, Cork County Council, FAS, People in Need, HSE and a number of National Primary schools from Mallow and surrounding areas.
Tunnel Vision has applied to Cork County Council to be facilitated within the new development of Mallow Castle and hopes to bring its experience and energy to the Castle and its mature gardens in the coming years.