‘Let It Grow’ stress-free gardening course to return for a new season at Langham Walled Garden

Following a successful pilot scheme last year, the “Let It Grow” stress-free gardening course is returning for 20 weeks across this Spring and Summer.

Designed to lower stress levels of participants, it will once again be hosted at Langham Walled Garden (pictured above and below).

Recruitment starts on March 4 and will remain open throughout the duration of the course. The project aims to benefit people aged 25 to 80, suffering mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, grief, and social isolation.

“Let It Grow” is a relaxed and therapeutic approach to learning the basics about horticulture and the environment.

It is organised by the Community Interest Company, Wild Heritage Suffolk, which currently uses the four acre site on the Langham estate.

Dating back around 300 years, the Walled Garden includes a restored kitchen garden, orchards, a wildlife rich meadow and plant nursery.

The project is set to start on May 7 and will operate with half day sessions, a choice of morning or afternoon, weekly on Tuesdays through until late September. Priority booking for the scheme is being given to residents of Mid Suffolk district, with limited spaces  reserved for people living in the nearby villages of West Suffolk. Potential participants should firstly contact an NHS Social Prescriber at their GP surgery at Woolpit, Botesdale, Stanton, Ixworth or at LifeLink, Bury, to obtain a referral.

There are 20 places available and no qualifications are required. The sessions are free of charge, with tools and materials all supplied.

Those joining the course can expect to divide their time between the new covered customised education/work space, lean-to-greenhouse, adapted raised beds, and adjoining veg beds. The course is funded by Mid Suffolk District Council and Suffolk Community Foundation through the Pargiter Trust Fund.

 The mix of indoor and outdoor activities are led by a team of three instructors and will involve “getting your hands dirty” and achieving the satisfaction of growing seasonal plants, vegetables and salad to take home.

The atmosphere in the walled garden is very special. Once you come through the gate in the wall you are entering a very calm and serene place where all you can hear is bird song. It’s a perfect place to relax and feel away from life’s pressures.

Participants come along to gain confidence, learn new skills, develop existing skills, get stuck in to the soil and above all, feel free to socialise.

The sessions will be based around all aspects of growing, gardening, pollination, organic and sustainable living and the importance of wildlife and biodiversity.

We are developing a list of core seasonal subjects that we feel will benefit both those taking part and the natural environment.

We hope to provide community transport to and from the Langham site, strictly where it is required, and only for residents of Mid Suffolk district.

The Wild Heritage Suffolk team can be contacted on 07966 421641 or by email – warren@walnuttreeindustries.com