Goodwill gardening
THROUGH A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN, ARMED FORCES CHARITY HELP FOR HEROES IS RAISING AWARENESS OF ITS WORK AND SUPPORT
Veterans who have studied horticulture with Help for Heroes have teamed up with students at Sparsholt College to create a garden for this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Horticulture can play a large part in the recovery journey of those affected by their service, which is why Help for Heroes offers a range of nature courses across the country. Every day seven people will be medically discharged from the Armed Forces and their lives will change forever. Help for Heroes was founded upon the belief that all those who put their lives on the line for us deserve a second chance at life.
Gill Parker, who helped create the garden, is an Air Force Veteran who lives with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She says: “Not only have I seen the plants grow, I’ve seen myself bloom, too. To work on this project has been amazing. It is a once in a lifetime experience and I’m very grateful for that.”
The garden, which is named ‘The Force for Good Garden’ tells the powerful story of the role horticulture has played in the recovery process of those involved. Student Shannon Smith says: “I have a huge affinity with the Stability section of our garden. While regularly on the move as a child of a military family, gardening was the one constant in my life.”
Projects such as this can help empower those Help for Heroes supports to regain their purpose and make a positive impact in society once more. After RHS Chelsea 2018, the garden’s positive legacy will continue, with elements being rehomed and donated to community groups to help more people, learn, grow and heal through gardening.
To support projects like The Force for Good Garden, donate now. You can find out more about the work of the charity at helpforheroes.org.uk.