Find out more about how gardening helped P to spend time outside, connect with people and feel a sense of purpose.
We spoke to someone we support about his gardening hobby. He uses the name ‘Papa Yap Yap’. It is the name his family call him because he talks so much! Here, we call him ‘P’.
Future Pathways supported P with his gardening hobby. This included getting a polytunnel and gardening equipment. Polytunnels are made from steel and covered in thin plastic. The polytunnel protects what is inside it. The sun heats up the inside of the tunnel and this warms the plants, vegetables and soil inside, helping them to grow.
P started gardening after one of his daughters said that he needed something to take his mind off things. He also thought it might bring him a sense of pride.
‘I’ve turned my life around. My ‘get up and go’ is now back.’
The new gardening items mean P can now grow his own vegetables and herbs in his back garden. He has grown tomatoes, potatoes, onions, peppers and chillis.
‘Tomatoes are the most difficult. I’m most proud of my tatties because of the way they came out – they were tiny but tasty.’
Gardening also helps P to get out of the house. P needs to look after his vegetables and herbs every day because they need help to grow.
‘I’d rather be in my hut and my garden than in my house. I have to go out because it needs my attention.’
Gardening also helps P to connect with other people. It is something he can talk about with others.
This new hobby has given P a sense of purpose and a feeling of pride. P is hoping to get another polytunnel so he can plant different things. Next he wants to try growing leeks and beetroot.
