How a new garden project in Sheffield is hoping to help manage isolation and mental health issues

The project is based at Gleadless Methodist Church on White Lane, Sheffield, and seeks to benefit all of the local community, not just those who attend church.

With the help of volunteers from the community and the probation service, the project is beginning to take shape, though more help is needed to develop it further.

June Wieteska, one of the volunteers, said: “We’ve really gone for this. There are so many people in Gleadless who are isolated, affecting mental health. Maybe something like this would get them out - they can come for a coffee or a chat.

“It’s the church reaching out, getting people involved, doing something for the community, showing that people care about them.”

The project will include a community garden, a community theatre venue, and other group activities.

June added: “People can come to do gardening or have a chat, grow veg. We want to bring people together, get them out. For people that can’t get out, we can visit them - deliver some veg or flowers.

“The vision we’ve got is starting to happen.”

June, from Gleadless, initially had the idea of creating a community allotment in 2018 and upon discussions with her neighbour, the project began.

She told how the church is ‘not really being used’ and it was an idea learnt from other organisations doing similar projects in the city.

In Gleadless, such a project would enhance community spirit but also create a place where people can feel welcome and be educated.

The probation service played an important part in the beginning stage as they helped clear the area - it is a point that June wants to highlight in that despite what individuals may have done to be on probation, they have done something positive for the community.

She said: “It’s so rewarding, for them and us. They take pride in what they do.”

In 2019, a grant was awarded, meaning the project could progress further.

However, an issue with Japanese knotweed set things back a little, which changed plans slightly.

The main aim now is to develop the back of the church, with the hope of creating a fruit and herb garden as well as a community cafe.

Subject to funding, there are plans to have a polytunnel so people can still garden when the weather is bad.

With the ongoing pandemic and the change of seasons, the project will now resume next year.

Volunteers are encouraged that they will be planting trees and plants by Spring.

In the meantime, the project is seeking donations of compost, gardening tools, seeds, pots and plants that flower.

Although the community garden is still developing, June is ‘hopeful’ of its benefit to those in the Gleadless community.

She works with the elderly in her day job, so she sees first hand the impact of isolation and loneliness in this group of people in particular.

The project hopes to work with doctors in the area to help combat some of these problems.

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