STORY: Green Community Hubs – Paul
When Paul was originally referred by green social prescribers to Groundwork’s Green Community Hub project at the Lady Pit Lane Allotments in Leeds, he was in a really bad place.
Time in the armed forces and other tough life experiences had left him struggling with PTSD, complex PTSD and depression. He was forced to give up a subsequent career as a landscape gardener after serious physical health issues. On top of everything else, Paul recently lost his partner after illness.
The Hub – and most importantly the group – have become a lifeline for him.
The project’s flexibility suits Paul and many of the other regular participants who sometimes need to dip in and out due to health issues. There’s no shortage of tasks to slot back into, and the relaxed, welcoming environment created by the allotment group is a given, no matter how long it’s been between visits.
He is now in a much better place, knowing that the Hub is always there for him whenever he needs it.
Speaking of his involvement, Paul says:
“I’m enjoying it; you meet new people, we have a bit of a laugh and talk to friends. We grow veg and stuff, do weeding, put greenhouses up, look after the allotments – we enjoy it.“
Paul’s years of professional gardening experience have come to the fore on the site and he’s comfortable seeing what needs doing, and directing and teaching others. He’d like to progress into doing some voluntary work and it’s clear that helping others really helps him.
When people come – new ones – we look after them and show them what to do. We show them how to dig properly, how to use tools, and they’re thankful. And staff are nice; we have a laugh and a joke. We care about each other. We talk about our problems. I think if we didn’t laugh, we’d start crying.
Some days when I come here for the first few hours I’m down, then I pick up. It gets me out of the house. I have good days and bad days. When I come here, it’s a good day.