A community garden project in Carlisle has had a positive impact on the city’s asylum seekers, its organisers said.
The courtyard garden was created by Tullie in its grounds in 2017 and is looked after by a team of volunteers.
After the opening of two hotels in the city to house asylum seekers, Tullie’s community team recognised a desire among many of the hotels’ residents to work outside and use their horticultural skills, as well as the importance of providing a welcoming outdoor space in which they could spend some time.
The museum used a £2,000 grant from Newcastle Building Society Community Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland to bring in experienced project leader and keen gardener Chuck Whitehead to set up and run a project which gave asylum seekers the chance to volunteer in the garden, and to pay for equipment.
Over 100 people have taken part in fortnightly sessions at the garden over the last year, with some of the volunteers spending several additional days working there each week.
The project is now winding down, with a couple of wrap-up sessions set to take place in the coming weeks.
Lindsey Atkinson, community engagement producer at Tullie, said: “The community garden is always in demand, but with only a small team available to work on, we can’t always give it all the attention it deserves.
“Many of the asylum seekers living in our city had horticultural skills that they were keen to share, while the opportunity to get out into the open air and be part of a constructive community project in a safe environment was very much welcomed by everyone that took part.
“Alongside the garden improvements, the project has also had a positive impact on participants’ mental health and wellbeing, has helped to tackle social isolation and has enabled us to make Tullie a more welcoming and inclusive place to be.
“We have loved getting to know everyone and many members of the group are now our good friends.”
