A Cambuslang mum is appealing for a local business, organisation or charity to root for her autistic son by giving him a chance to work for them as a gardener.
Craig MacPherson, 22, discovered his love of gardening through Toryglen-based environmental charity Urban Roots , as well as through Castlemilk social enterprise company, Fair Deal.
While he was a pupil at Rutherglen High School, Craig also volunteered by tending the grounds at tourist attraction the David Livingstone centre.
Craig, who has acquired horticultural skills and has grown his own herbs and vegetables at local allotments, proved himself to be a hard worker who comes into his own while working the land.
But now that his training courses with Urban Roots and Fair Deal have come to an end, he is only able to channel his newly-acquired skills and enthusiasm into his parents’ garden.
Now his mum Lorraine is hoping a local person in need of a hard-working gardener will help Craig’s skills continue to blossom by giving him the opportunity to show them what he can do.
Lorraine, 50, remembers Craig’s introduction to gardening as a volunteer when he was just 16.
“My husband Frank and I took him to the David Livingstone centre during the summer,” she said.
“When we got there, his face was a face of terror. When we went back four or five hours later, the other boys were all lying on the grass – and Craig was still gardening.
“The good thing about Craig is you can tell him what to do, and he goes off and gets it done.
“He knows what he is doing when gardening and he enjoys the freedom. It is something he really enjoys and seems to be quite good at.”
Lorraine says the free Fair Deal Help Yourself Grow project opened up a world of new experiences and interests for Craig, who is on the autistic spectrum.
“It gave him independence and the experience of learning more gardening,” she said.
When Lorraine and Frank recently had an extension built on to their home in Halfway, their garden was left devastated by the building work.
But Craig was quick to roll up his sleeves and use his gardening expertise to lick it into shape.
Lorraine says that before her son was bitten by the gardening bug, he had gained a lot of weight by sitting around.
But since he first picked up a trowel and spade, Craig has shed around two stones and is fitter and more active than ever.
And when people remark on his weight loss and tell him he looks great, he’ll proudly announce: “It’s the gardening.”
Praising the Fair Deal project, Lorraine continued: “I am very proud of him. He has done really well and it has given him independence and out of that, he would like to go out and be working and mix with other people, because his social life is very difficult.”
Unlike other people the family know who are on the autistic spectrum and rarely venture out, Craig loves outings and can travel independently by public transport.
That’s an interest his parents are keen to encourage – as is his love of gardening.
“My only regret is that the gardening is not a continual thing,” admitted Lorraine.
“I’d like to see him getting a job, even a voluntary job. Something to do with gardening would really be great. That is his thing.
“That is what has helped him and helped his confidence immensely.”
If you think you could help Craig, call Lorraine on 07856 284020.
