Corby Green Mind garden's four seasons makeover unveiled

The garden was supported by the government’s Loneliness and Isolation Fund
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A Corby garden has been transformed into a wildlife-friendly oasis of calm thanks to the efforts of volunteers, service users and an artist.

The garden at the Northamptonshire Mind centre in Argyll Street had the creative makeover thanks to support from the government’s Loneliness and Isolation Fund, boosted by a team effort from local organisations and volunteers.

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Since April, Groundwork Northamptonshire has been working with the Green Minds group, including volunteers and service users at the Corby Mind centre on horticultural and creative projects.

The team at Mind Corby with one of the wildlife panelsThe team at Mind Corby with one of the wildlife panels
The team at Mind Corby with one of the wildlife panels

Working with another Groundwork team, Made With Many, the group discussed lots of possible sculptures and projects that might fit in the garden before choosing artist Dan Wilson to work with them over three weeks to design and create a series of murals.

Polly Shackleton, from The Green Patch at Groundwork Northamptonshire, said: “Groundwork Northants have been working with our ‘Green Minds’ gardening and peer support group to create an inclusive community space within the garden of Corby Mind, inspired by The Green Patch in Kettering.

"As well as recently building a raised bed community vegetable plot and heart-shaped seating area, we have also enjoyed working with artist Dan Wilson to create some wonderful murals for the garden walls, depicting the wildlife and plants that can be spotted within the garden throughout the seasons.

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"Every member of the group was able to play a part in planning, designing and having a go with the spray paints while learning some new skills and we are really proud of all their efforts.”

The autumn panel takes shapeThe autumn panel takes shape
The autumn panel takes shape

The Green Minds group has transformed the garden creating new informal meeting areas and wildlife-friendly areas, planting vegetables and herb patches, as well as sowing different flowers that will keep the space looking its best all year round.

Inspired by the nature in the area they created a spotters guide to some of wildlife found in the garden, including red kites, bluebells and robins, with each artwork depicting flora and fauna from each of the four seasons.

Chief executive of Northamptonshire Mind Sarah Hillier said: “This is a fantastic and inspiring example of groups working together and with us here at Mind, to create something truly special at our base in Corby.

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"The amazing efforts of all those involved – not to mention the truly outstanding talent on show – took our breath away. We are both honoured and proud to have been involved in such a collaborative community project. Well done to everyone.”

The budding artists enjoyed getting hands-on with spray painting under artist Dan’s expert guidance, developing their creative skills and confidence to create something totally unique for their garden.

Tom Briggs, community engagement coordinator at Made With Many, added: "The group have been fantastic at working with Dan and together they have drawn everything from Star Wars characters to local wildlife. It's been great to see these hard working gardeners taking a break to sketch together.

"The whole garden has been buzzing with creativity.”

To find out more about this project visit www.madewithmany.org.