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Volunteering outdoors to improve mental health

During the pandemic the WiLL team have seen an increase in participants wanting to volunteer outdoors, benefiting both their mental health and providing much needed respite from being at home.

Before the pandemic, the Work.Live.Leicestershire (WiLL) Project team were working closely with Elderberries Community Garden in Market Harborough. During the pandemic the team have seen an increase in participants wanting to volunteer outdoors, benefiting both their mental health and providing much needed respite from being at home.

David Palmer, WiLL’s contact with the project, supports all age groups and abilities and it has become a very popular project amongst some of our WiLL participants.

Participants with an interest in gardening, conservation and horticulture have been referred to the project to volunteer with an opportunity to learn. The project provides extra support and adapted tasks so that all are involved.

I am fully enjoying my volunteering experience at Elderberries Community Gardening. It has helped me improve my confidence and communication skills. It has also helped me to socially engage more confidently with other people.

In the volunteering process I have also learnt new skills and have been assigned a project where I am involved in designing and painting panels.

Carl, WiLL Project Participant

Get in touch with the Will Project

To find out more about the WiLL Project, visit our main WiLL Project page.

If you’d like to get in touch with Elderberries Community Gardening, you can also contact David Palmer directly:

07505 968767
harboroughfx@gmail.com