Lula shared that she went on to study Applied Ecology as a direct result of attending our volunteer sessions at Stanmer.
Below is an image of the card she painted (of the Gathering Glade at Stanmer Wellbeing Gardens) and words she sent in.
“I’ve been reflecting lately and realised how much the group at Stanmer positively impacted me and how much it has helped me the last few years to grow as a person and recover. I’ve struggled with a severe mental health condition for quite a few years, and the session helped me to get through and reach a better place that I’m now in. I joined on a whim and it quickly became my favourite day of the fortnight.
No matter what I was going through, I always felt better after a gardening session. I struggled to slow down at first and actually wasn’t used to silence and not having headphones on 24/7. The sessions helped me to slow down, take notice of the world around me, and understand the nuance and human side of conservation. The sessions really helped me get through the weeks in between therapy sessions and gave me strength and hope to keep working at recovery.
Caroline is a fantastic leader of the group. Her gentle guidance made me feel empowered to try new things and use tools, and everyone treating me respectfully, like an adult, helped me to become one.
I can’t thank Caroline and Sophia (support volunteer) and the rest of the team enough for running such a wonderful and accessible group. I have so many happy memories and it’s definitely the best run and most well-organised volunteering group I’ve been in.”
