A Local Places for Nature project transforming waste ground at Moss Rose Cottage, Rumney, into a therapeutic food-growing garden for people with invisible disabilities.
Key details
- Location: Moss Rose Cottage, Rumney, Cardiff
- Project Type: Food Growing Garden
- Group: Community-based rehabilitation centre for individuals with invisible disabilities (including brain injuries)
Deprivation index
- Physical: 10% most deprived
- Overall: 30–50% most deprived
Community involvement
- 15 volunteers involved in installation
- Clients, local church, community centre, Cardiff & Vale college students, mothers with post-natal depression
- 50+ people will use the garden
Outputs
- Raised beds, fruit trees, wildflower turf, greenhouse, habitat boxes
- Barren land transformed into a productive, healing space
- Surplus produce donated to the local foodbank
Benefits
- Social: Collaborative activities, communication, and teamwork for clients with brain trauma
- Cultural: Holistic, non-traditional therapies through gardening
- Economic: Fresh produce for a deprived ward; surplus supports foodbank
- Health: Improved physical and mental health, skill-building, combating isolation
Quotes
“The greatest joy of this project is the varied backgrounds of the participants. … It has given physical therapy to people recovering from strokes, combated isolation for those who are alone, taught new skills and allowed people already familiar with garden nature to feel the pride when educating others.”
Bernie Hurley, Coordinator
Future plans
• Continue developing the growing area as a healing space
• Support clients’ recovery and independence through gardening
