Funds to help wellbeing garden flourish

Updated: 13 Jun 2023

A Great Yarmouth community garden project has received a £500 cash boost from the Trafalgar Branch of the Oddfellows, as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Run by mental health charity, Mind, the Community Roots green space relies on fundraising to stay in operation and provides a sanctuary for people to enjoy gardening, as well as to take part in a range of outdoor skills and activities that encourage wellbeing.

The garden has structured and wild areas, vegetable plots, greenhouses, willow sculptures, and spaces for bird watching, crafts, yoga and mindful walking around a butterfly-shaped labyrinth.

The money was presented to Mind’s Fundraising and Communications Manager, Rachel Walsh, on a visit to the garden in May.

L-R: The Oddfellows' Angie Batson and Mind's Rachel Walsh.

Rachel said: “We are really grateful for the Oddfellows’ donation, as schemes like Community Roots rely on local funding.”

Angie Batson, Development Officer at the Oddfellows’ Trafalgar Branch, based at North Walsham, added: “Places like this are important for people, including those dealing with mental health issues, wanting to find peace, relaxation, friendship, and to learn new skills. The Oddfellows, which aims to improve the quality of people’s lives, is pleased to help this great project.”

The Oddfellows' Branches constantly fundraise to give back to their communities and to help people in need. In 2018, over £184,000 was raised for good causes by local Branches.