Activity
Hillingdon Council is seeking views, suggestions, and alternative proposals on the future of the Rural Activities Garden Centre (RAGC).
The consultation invites feedback from adult social care users, volunteers, parents and carers, community groups, organisations that use the centre, and RAGC staff. This input will help the Cabinet Member, Councillor Eddie Lavery, make an informed decision.
We would like your views on:
- continuing to provide the existing universal service at the RAGC site
- exploring alternative models of operation that would allow the RAGC to continue without financial cost to the council
- relocating services for people with Adult Social Care Plans to the Civic Centre in Uxbridge, where:
- new garden facilities would support activities
- dedicated staff would provide ongoing support.
- supporting volunteers by connecting them with wider opportunities, such as: meaningful activities with local groups and organisations, volunteering opportunities across the borough and beyond, pathways into employment where possible.
Context
On 27 June 2025, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet considered a report and agreed recommendations relating to the RAGC.
As part of that decision, retail operations at the RAGC were closed with effect from 31 July 2025. This followed:
- a 42% drop in sales income year-on-year
- a requirement for a £137,000 subsidy in 2024/25 to sustain operations.
Continuing retail operations would have required not only ongoing public subsidy but also significant capital investment to meet current and future health and safety standards.
The Cabinet also agreed that there should be further consultation on all other services and activities at the RAGC site, to determine the best way forward.
For people with assessed care needs, the council will continue to meet its legal duties under the Care Act 2014. Relocating services to enhanced garden facilities at the Civic Centre in Uxbridge is intended not only to maintain but also to improve the support available. The Civic Centre campus offers:
- improved integration with adult learning and library services
- proximity to other support networks
- opportunities for more varied and meaningful engagement.
For volunteers without statutory care needs, the council recognises their contribution and the importance of continuity. The proposal includes tailored support to help volunteers transition to:
- new placements with local voluntary sector partners, or
- potential employment opportunities.
This may include partnerships with organisations such as Heathrow Rangers and biodiversity groups, offering training, skills development, and wider community involvement.
Public interest in the site’s future has also been acknowledged. Initial engagement with volunteers and service users has already taken place, and a petition hearing was held on 11 June 2025 in response to two petitions. These views have been carefully considered and will help shape the final decision.
Staff consultation is also underway to ensure any changes are managed fairly and transparently. The focus will be on minimising redundancies and supporting redeployment wherever possible. Staff are invited to contribute to this consultation alongside service users and volunteers.
The council remains committed to ongoing engagement, including independent advocacy where needed, to ensure all voices are heard and any transition is handled with dignity and care.
Reasons for the proposal
The council is consulting on changes to the non-retail aspects of the RAGC, because:
- The retail element has already been closed
- Cabinet decided to end retail operations on 31 July 2025.
- This was due to unsustainable financial losses and the level of subsidy required.
- Remaining services need review
- Only a small number of people with assessed social care needs currently use the site.
- Volunteers who attend the centre do so without statutory entitlement.
- The council wishes to ensure that all users are supported in the most effective and sustainable way.
- Financial and operational sustainability
- The previous model was unsustainable and placed a burden on taxpayer funds.
- Closing the retail operation removed part of this pressure, but decisions are now needed about the future of other services at the site.
Despite these challenges, the council remains fully committed to:
- supporting people with assessed care needs, and
- helping volunteers transition to alternative opportunities with care, clarity, and appropriate support.
Consultation period
The consultation will run for 6 weeks, from Wednesday 27 August to Tuesday 7 October.
You can respond online or by completing a paper form.
Additional support is available for those who need it, including:
- Adult Social Care staff running drop-in support sessions at the RAGC for residents to complete the consultation (Wednesday 3 September, Thursday 11 September, Friday 19 September, Monday 22 September, Tuesday 30 September and Tuesday 7 October between 10am and 2pm)
- individual meetings with social workers at the RAGC
- consultation materials in accessible formats (please see attachment)
- a post box at the RAGC for paper consultation form submissions (paper forms are available at the RAGC).
You can request support through the online form, by emailing customerengagement@hillingdon.gov.uk or calling 01895 277038.
Next steps
After the consultation closes:
- responses will be collected and reviewed
- findings will be presented to the Cabinet Member
- a final decision will be made in the autumn.
Steve Brown
Director of Environment
Place Directorate
Hillingdon Council
