At Oxfordshire Mind, we are dedicated to providing supported housing for individuals living with enduring and severe mental health conditions. Recently, we teamed up with one of our housing partners, A2Dominion, to completely transform the garden at one of our housing services in Oxford.
Applying for the A2Dominion Donations Fund
To make this project possible, we applied to the A2Dominion Donations Fund, a scheme specifically aimed at improving the lives of clients living in A2Dominion-supported housing.
After discussions with our residents and staff, we gathered ideas for what they wanted in the garden. With these ideas in mind, we approached Junior Samuels of Samuels Gardening Services for a quote. Junior and Will Flood, a support worker at Oxfordshire Mind, worked closely together to create a vision for the space.
The plan included:
- Raised planters for residents to grow vegetables and plants of their choice.
- A lawn area for meditation and relaxation.
- A patio space with a table and chairs (kindly provided by the Donations Fund) for support sessions, house meetings, or simply enjoying the outdoors.
We were thrilled when the A2Dominion Donations Fund Panel approved our application and awarded nearly £9,000 to bring this vision to life.
Overcoming Challenge
The project wasn’t without its challenges. There were tricky access restrictions and bouts of torrential rain which meant progress was sometimes slowed. However, the team persevered, and the garden was ultimately transformed into a functional, peaceful, and tranquil space.
The raised planters have been left empty for now, allowing residents to choose their own plants to grow and nurture. This process represents the residents’ own recovery journeys—growing and thriving over time.
A Collaborative Effort
We are incredibly proud of the outcome and excited to share photos of the finished garden.
A huge thank you goes to:
- Our amazing residents, for their invaluable input during the planning process and for their patience and understanding when the work was being carried out.
- Will Flood, Tony Hanford (Support Workers), Karen Yearde (Housing Service Manager) and Sarah Tamburro (Housing Administrator) from Oxfordshire Mind, for their tireless planning and communication with residents.
- Junior Samuels and his team, our talented gardeners, for there excellent work and sensitivity towards residents throughout the project.
- The A2Dominion Donations Fund panel and staff, especially Ysanne Lloyd and Cherie Charles for believing in our vision and providing the funding to make it a reality.
Looking to the Future
We hope this garden will bring joy, peace, and inspiration to our current and future residents for many years to come. It’s more than just a garden—it’s a space for growth, recovery, and community connection.
