LEVENGROVE TRAINING SUITE & MAPLE GARDEN
These premises were officially opened in 2019 as part of a £3.7million investment in the park. This included the Pavilion building which houses the Grove Cafe. These venues began as a social enterprise by West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Partnership’s (WDHSCP) Work Connect service, but subsequently became the Grove Cafe : see LEVENGROVE PARK : PAVILION CAFE & PLAY AREA
The Training Suite
This provides a range of different learning experiences through the Work Connect Specialist Supported Employment Service
The Work Connect Specialist Supported Employment Service is part of West Dunbartonshire’s Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) and is based within the Training Suite in Levengrove park. Their main focus is horticulture and skills development, which supports service users to realise their potential in a supported environment that provides the opportunity to gain a range of real-life employability and life skills. This facility is also well used by community support groups to allow them to engage in gardening and in designing and develop their own plots.
This specialist service also provides clients and other service users with other activities which enhance interpersonal skills, confidence
and personal growth. [WDC].
These modern facilities offer various valuable functions, yet has been under threat of closure (2025). The following comes from a FaceBook page urging its retention. It is for people who have different mental health issues, it is a safe place for everyone one that goes here. The staff are absolutely fantastic with us all. We all come from different places for example Clydebank,Dumbarton,Alexandria Balloch and Old Kilpatrick. They also have a special garden for special needs children from Old Kilpatrick School, Lomond Base, Fostering and Adoption’s and children with all kinds off Disability’s. [Jim Lowe on FB]
The approach to the training centre. Well lit, pleasant fully accessible facilities.
Within the carpark of the Training Centre is this carved stone pediment. Thanks to "PR" we learn that it was recovered from the old Crosslet House building prior to redevelopment. It sits here until it can either be introduced into the new grounds of the new premises in a suitable way (transport being an issue) or given a better setting here.
The Maple Garden
The Maple Garden is an outdoor additional support needs area for children and adults and their families/carers, we are situated beside The Training Suite in Levengrove Park, within a fully enclosed and secure environment. The park can accommodate large groups of up to 20 visitors and can be booked for shared or sole use. [WDC] More about that can be found through the link below.
The Maple Garden at the Training Suite provides a cheerful play area for those needing support.
FaceBook - Jim Lowe :https://www.change.org/p/save-levengrove-training-suite-from-proposed-closure
WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL ; https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/leisure-parks-events/parks-and-greenspaces/parks/the-maple-garden/
