STORY: Green Community Hubs – Diane
Diane’s journey from tentative newcomer to steering group member in the space of three months at Maryport’s Green Community Hub has been impressively swift.
It’s testament to her determination both to overcome mental ill health and to contribute to the community in her beloved hometown where she has lived her whole life.
Diane is a role model for others who may feel hesitant at trying something like this out in their local area. Her pride at what she’s achieved in the garden and on the steering group is evident, but she also treasures the social aspect of attending a Green Community Hub.
Speaking of her involvement, Diane said:
“My mental health deteriorated about five or six years ago and I’ve needed support since then. I was attending a different support session for around 12 months and was coming to the end of my time there. I heard about the Green Community Hub at The Settlement and was supported to come the first time.
“At first we were weeding, sowing seeds, re-planting seeds out, and harvesting some of those crops. Since then I’ve had the courage to join the steering group, and as time’s progressed I’ve nominated myself to do the garden co-ordination. I’m not a qualified gardener or anything but I’m now supporting Shayla [Groundwork project lead] and supporting people out on the ground to show them how to weed, sometimes telling them what is a weed, what is a plant, and showing them how to re-plant once the seedlings have got to a decent size.
“I thought ‘I’ve got things to input here’. When I started coming I thought ‘I don’t know enough about it’ and that was making me a bit anxious and panicky. Now, I can accept I still don’t know all the answers, but I felt I needed to be more involved.
“I think it was just determination for myself really, knowing they’re trying to make something for Maryport. Without volunteers, and volunteers who want to support it going forward, it wouldn’t happen.
“I do struggle with the social side of things, but I knew some people here so they’ve encouraged me to keep coming, and I’ve made friends with new people.”
The group is open to anyone and a whole range of people attend, including refugees and asylum seekers, who are coming to the sites to volunteer through West Cumbria Refugee Support Network, so they can get experience of working with others but also learn English and just learn to be with UK residents.
Diane added:
“Even though English isn’t a first language for some, we’ve been able to communicate with each other and have a laugh, and they listen and take on board some of the knowledge. I found that if I pick off leaves and taste them then they’ll have a go, whereas if I just passed it to them they probably wouldn’t, because how do they trust that it’s something they can eat that won’t harm them? So, it’s just building that trust.
I’ve got a garden at home and sometimes I think I could be spending time there, but it’s not the same when you’re on your own, so I come for the socialising and that’s a big part of it. We’ll have drinks together, we have a meal together, and talk to other people.
Come with someone else first as that gives you the courage to walk through the door. Some weeks maybe aren’t as good and you may not feel as well in yourself for whatever reason, but it’s just about persevering and trying.