The gardening group 'bringing smiles' to city

A gardening group set up during the Covid-19 pandemic is encouraging generations of people to "be brave".

Gloucester Cathedral's Gardening for Wellbeing programme has grown since its launch in 2020, and focuses on supporting vulnerable people in the city and developing outdoor skills.

Lizzie Hathaway-White, community engagement and participation officer, said: "You've got people across generations talking, working together, learning and being brave trying new things."

The group will expand after receiving funding from the Barnwood Trust, which will be used to establish a sensory garden in the Cathedral's grounds and help the organisation reach more people.

Hathaway-White took over the running of the group two years after it began, shifting its focus to wellbeing and skill-building.

While funding will support the creation of wheelchair-accessible raised beds, adapted gardening equipment, and accessible pathways, Hathaway-White said it would also enable gardeners to gain experience in paving, setting gravel and building benches.

She said: "It's not a 'click your fingers overnight and some contractor's going to come in' job.

"The participants are the people that are going to be building that garden."

Many participants experience mental health challenges, disability, social isolation or are in need of additional support.

Jasmin Webb joined the group three years ago and stressed the importance of getting outside of your own four walls.

"I enjoy doing something that I really love as I only have a balcony, which I've turned into a little garden with the skills I've learnt," she said.

"It feels really good to pass on the knowledge I've learnt, which they can pass on too," she added. "It has a knock on effect. If you bring a smile to it all, then you're taking smiles away."

Abteen Ahrabi joined the group in April after hearing about it from friends.

He said: "I enjoy it and have fun. I'm not shy and I love coming here and having a brownie or cookie from the cafe with everyone afterwards."

Work will now begin on transforming the space alongside growing and harvesting crops during a bumper year brought on by the hot weather.

Lizzie said: "You've got people across generations talking, working together, learning and being brave trying new things."

"We've also been growing some of the largest courgettes I've ever seen in my life."

The group meets every Wednesday at 10:30 BST.