From a Homeless Hostel to the Houses of Parliament
At Groundwork, we believe everyone has strengths, talents and potential, even when life feels overwhelming. Through programmes like Grow Blackpool, based at @TheGrange in Blackpool, we use community gardening, volunteering and personal development opportunities to help people improve their wellbeing, build confidence and take positive steps towards employment.
John’s life has taken him from horticulture to a successful career as a chef and then through some of the most difficult circumstances anyone can face. Struggling with his mental health, isolated and homeless, he found himself needing to rebuild his life from the ground up. His story is a powerful example of what can happen when people are given the right support at the right time.
Below is his story in his own words that he recently shared in a speech at the Houses of Parliament.
A couple of years ago, I was sitting in a homeless hostel trying to piece my life back together. If you’d told me then that one day I’d be sharing my story in Parliament, I’d never have believed you.
Before COVID, I was working 12 hour shifts at a big hotel in Blackpool. I looked like I was coping, but in reality, I was masking my struggles with substances and alcohol. When lockdown hit, things spiralled out of control. With the hotel closed, my use of alcohol and substances increased and began earlier each day. I had what I now know was a manic episode and this led to criminal charges and homelessness.
I was eventually given a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. It wasn’t an excuse but I finally had an explanation. Understanding my diagnosis was one thing but rebuilding my life still felt impossible.
Running Away
By late 2025, I hadn’t left my flat for over a year. I was battling severe depression and struggling to look after myself. A social prescriber took me to Grow Blackpool for the first time, but I wasn’t ready. I ran away and didn’t come back.
Thankfully, people didn’t give up on me. With support from adult social services, I slowly rebuilt my confidence and eventually agreed to give Grow Blackpool another chance.
Looking back now, agreeing to go back was probably one of the most important decisions I’ve made.
Finding My Purpose Again
When I returned to @TheGrange, I met Angela Nagorski who runs the Grow Blackpool programme. While showing us around the garden, Angela pointed to a border she wanted clearing. I surprised myself by speaking up.
“Would you like that herbaceous poppy plant leaving next to the Fatsia japonica?”
She smiled and asked if I was a gardener. “I used to be,” I replied.
Angela never pushed me or demanded that I open up. Instead, she gave me the space, patience and encouragement to rediscover what I was good at. She also introduced me to Ellen, a Community Support Worker for Groundwork, whose support has since been a huge part of my recovery journey.
Before Grow Blackpool, I felt like everything I’d worked for and learned over the years had disappeared. Angela and Ellen helped me realise it was still there. I just needed the confidence to use it again. It was all about getting the right support at the right time.
When you’ve stopped believing in yourself, having people who don’t give up on you can make all the difference.
John
More Than Gardening
People often talk about the benefits of gardening for mental health. For me, the biggest impact wasn’t the gardening itself – it was the people.
Through Grow Blackpool and The Grange, I found friendship, support and a sense of belonging. I met people who understood what I was going through and discovered I wasn’t alone.
What started as somewhere to do a bit of gardening became somewhere I actually wanted to be. These were people who understood me, checked in on me and wanted me to succeed.
@TheGrange brings together lots of organisations and services under one roof, making support accessible when people need it most. From practical advice and wellbeing support to volunteering opportunities, it creates connections that can genuinely change lives.
A New Chapter
Earlier this year, Angela invited me to volunteer on a sensory garden project at N-Vision, a charity for people with sight loss living in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.
The project meant a lot to me because my auntie lives with Retinitis Pigmentosa. It gave me an opportunity to use my horticultural skills to give something back.
As my confidence grew, Angela encouraged me to apply for a gardening role at N-Vision. Through the support of Blackpool Council’s IPS employment service and an employment specialist called Karen, I rebuilt my confidence, prepared myself to go back into the world of work and attended interviews.
A few weeks ago, I started a job, 1 day a week at N-Vision, in Garden and Grounds Maintenance.
There were times when I honestly didn’t think I’d ever work again, never mind in horticulture. Being back doing something I love still feels strange to say out loud. I’m still attending therapy and taking things one step at a time, but today I’m doing something I genuinely love. And I still make a point of going to Grow Blackpool every chance I can get.
Why It Matters
Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who supported me, especially Angela and Ellen.
They didn’t just help me find a volunteering opportunity or a job. They helped me reconnect with people, rebuild my confidence and believe in myself again.
When people hear about Grow Blackpool, they might think it’s just about gardening. It isn’t. It’s about people. It’s about having somewhere to go, someone to talk to and people who believe in you when you’ve stopped believing in yourself.
For someone who once felt completely alone, that has made all the difference to me.
Don’t Be Afraid To Reach Out
If you’re struggling with your confidence, feeling isolated or looking for a positive next step, don’t be afraid to reach out for support. Whether it’s through a community growing project, volunteering opportunity or personal development programme, taking that first step could change your life too. Getting the right support at the right time can make all the difference.
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