Some local people come to community gardens simply because it makes them feel good to be outdoors, to take part in an activity, and to be surrounded by friendly and supportive neighbours. Whatever brings you through that garden gate, we’re confident you’ll leave feeling better than you arrived…

Lots of folks in the gardens speak about the mental health benefits of coming down to the garden:

“It clears your brain, lifts your mood. All my issues fall away when I enter the garden.”

“I’m so happy with it and it’s a real need for my mental health and wellbeing and all my issues fall away when I enter the garden.”

“I still struggle some days, but this does give me somewhere I can come.”

“I went in there for a little while and it’s made me smile. I can’t stop smiling.”

Many have talked about how the garden has helped them to get to know their neighbours, and how that has benefited their life:

“I kind of keep myself to myself for the last 30 years but it was nice for me to chat to other folk.”

“A neighbour over the road said “Hi” for the first time in eight years of living near them which was really nice. That had never happened before.”

“I’ve really enjoyed making friends with some of the other folk in the group. One lady particularly because she lived abroad for a long time in France and because I’m from Spain originally we have a connection. She is always very friendly to me.”

“I’ve spoken to a lot of people since I’ve been planting things in the garden. People just talk and chat. So I feel like it’s changed just from doing that.”

“I like talking to the people that I’ve got to know here. I like the socials. You meet all kinds of people. I like the people that I’ve got to know.”

A few residents shared that they enjoyed playing a positive part in their local community:

“People walk through that way to go to wherever, the park or people drive that way as well. So a lot of times people just stop in their cars and just kind of shout out. Drive by, thank you. And there was a taxi driver that came and gave me a buddleia.”

“It brings good things to the area, creating areas of beauty, making friendships eating healthier, learning, and sharing new skills. The whole thing is great. It’ll keep evolving and other ideas will come up and will increase options for folk locally.”

If you’d like to find out more about how you can get involved in community gardening and feel great in your local community head to the homepage to find your nearest garden and get in touch!