Gloucester Cathedral expands gardening wellbeing project for vulnerable communities

Gloucester Cathedral has secured major funding from Barnwood Trust to expand its Gardening for Wellbeing programme, creating a fully accessible sensory garden and supporting hundreds of people experiencing mental health challenges, disability, social isolation and additional support needs over the next three years.

The investment marks a significant expansion of the Cathedral’s wellbeing and community engagement work, building on the success of its existing Gardening for Wellbeing sessions, which have grown steadily since they were first established during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The project will support disabled adults, children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN), people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and those experiencing poor mental health, loneliness or isolation. Participants will work alongside Cathedral staff and volunteers to co-create and maintain a fully accessible sensory garden within the Cathedral grounds.

Developed in consultation with local schools, healthcare providers, social prescribing networks and community organisations, the project responds to growing demand for safe, inclusive outdoor spaces where people can improve wellbeing, build confidence, develop skills and develop meaningful social connections.

Lizzy Hathaway-White, Community Engagement and Participation Officer at Gloucester Cathedral, said:

"This project is about much more than gardening. It’s about creating opportunities for people to feel connected, valued and included. We know that spending time outdoors, learning new skills and being part of a supportive community can have a profound impact on wellbeing.

"Participants have been involved in shaping the project from the beginning. They’ve helped us imagine what an ideal garden could look like and told us what activities matter most to them. It’s incredibly exciting to see those ideas becoming reality."

Funding Relationship Manager at Barnwood Trust, Audrey Harris, said:

"What stood out about this project was the extent to which people with lived experience have been involved in shaping its design and future development. The creation of a Community and Lived Experience Panel demonstrates Gloucester Cathedral's commitment to ensuring that disabled people and people experiencing mental health challenges are at the heart of decision-making.

We are proud to support a project that will create opportunities for connection, confidence-building and belonging, while helping to create a more inclusive Gloucester for everyone."

The funding will support the creation of wheelchair-accessible raised beds, adapted gardening equipment, sensory planting, accessible pathways, shaded seating areas and a wide range of wellbeing-focused activities.

Participants will be able to take part in gardening sessions, nature-based wellbeing activities, cooking workshops using produce grown on site, wildlife projects, creative activities, accredited learning opportunities and community events.

The programme is designed around the recognised Five Ways to Wellbeing framework - connecting, being active, taking notice, learning and giving - helping participants improve confidence, reduce anxiety and build stronger social relationships.

The Cathedral already works closely with schools, colleges, social prescribing teams, mental health organisations and community groups across Gloucester, including the Gloucester Schools Partnership, Paternoster School and local wellbeing services.

As part of the project, Gloucester Cathedral will establish a Community and Lived Experience Panel to ensure participants continue to play a central role in shaping activities, accessibility and future development.

The initiative also reflects Gloucester Cathedral’s wider commitment to social responsibility, wellbeing and inclusion.

The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester, said:

"Gloucester Cathedral has long been a place of welcome, care and community as part of our fundamental Christian mission. This project demonstrates how heritage spaces can respond meaningfully to contemporary challenges by creating opportunities for connection, wellbeing and participation. As a charity, we are dependent on public funding and grants like this – they enable us to continue investing in a project that will make a lasting difference to people’s lives."

The sensory garden will draw inspiration from the Cathedral’s Benedictine heritage, where herb gardens were cultivated for healing, hospitality and practical care. It will also support the Cathedral’s environmental commitments by encouraging engagement with nature, biodiversity and sustainable growing practices.

Gardening for Wellbeing sessions for adults currently take place every Wednesday from 10.30am to 12 noon, with no previous gardening experience required.

Media requests: media@gloucestercathedral.org.uk