‘Gardening helped me to blossom’
In 2012, I hit a bit of a low patch. I was working as a carer and, although I love helping others, I found the work itself made me feel a bit depressed.
It’s not in my nature to stand still, so I decided to volunteer with local gardening group Parks for People – whose aim is to improve Cyfarthfa Park in Merthyr Tydfil – hoping the exercise and working outdoors would give me a boost.
Being part of the group has brought me a whole new social
circle. Gardening really sparked my creativity, and it wasn’t long before I enrolled in a horticulture course to enhance my skills.
I now run my own business, Garden Thyme – which is something I never thought I’d do. I love working for myself, and my creative side really comes to the fore when I’m helping people to design, maintain and improve their outdoor spaces.
I’m still volunteering at Cyfarthfa Park, too. It’s great being part of such a large project, and I find gardening such a mood booster.
If you’d told me back in 2012 that in three years’ time I’d have completely changed my life, I wouldn’t have believed you. But, just as the seeds that I planted in my early days of volunteering have now become beautiful flowers, my own life has blossomed and I couldn’t be happier.