The garden centre helping mental health patients

A garden centre in North East Lincolnshire is helping people with mental health conditions.

Grimsby Garden Centre is owned by not-for-profit Navigo, which runs mental health services on behalf of the NHS.

Patients can be referred to the centre, allowing them to enjoy the outdoors while tending to plants.

Martin, one of the volunteers at the centre, said: "There is no doubt in my mind that spending time in nature and green spaces is beneficial. It has certainly been the case for me."

Wayne also said he enjoys his time at the centre.

"I was referred here through Navigo and the best thing for me about being here is all of the people I've met," he said.

"Everybody here is so welcoming and nice."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the garden centre also receives referrals from other organisations, such as Linkage College, which delivers education for young people with learning difficulties and Care Plus Group's Employability Services.

The garden centre currently has about 40 weekly participants.

It has a retail greenhouse, with a second and polytunnels to prepare and grow plants.

"We also have an allotment area where we grow our own produce rather than anything for the actual garden centre," said Mandy Livesey, the centre's nursery manager.

Some patients referred to the centre have gone on to gain paid employment elsewhere.

Manager Craig Champion said: "They just needed that routine and environment where they're not just stuck at home all the time. They've got something to get up for in the morning.

"You see them around town, and they're absolutely thriving in their lives. It's just absolutely fantastic."

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