Campaign for National Gardens and Health Week
Gardeners’ World presenter, award-winning garden designer and writer Mark Lane is promoting Leonard Cheshire disability charity and the benefits of gardening for health and well-being. It’s part of a partnership with the National Garden Scheme (NGS).
The NGS has made Leonard Cheshire one of its Gardens and Health beneficiaries. A donation of £120,000 will develop sensory gardens and horticultural volunteering projects for disabled people.
Mark is a passionate advocate of gardening for disabled people. He will design one of the sensory gardens at the charity’s care home in Bedfordshire. Read more about Mark’s garden design at Hampton Court 2023.
Mark Lane promotes Leonard Cheshire – Universally inclusive gardening
A short film is being made about how gardening can be universally inclusive, with practical tips and inspiration. In it, Mark explains how gardens and gardening can offer a sense of well-being, physically and mentally. It highlights that no matter what level of ability you have there is a gardening task that you can do. It was released during the National Garden Scheme’s Gardens and Health Week (18 – 24 August).
Mark said: “Gardens that are fully accessible help bring communities together and help tackle isolation. Above all, they are great fun and incredible for both mental and physical well-being.
Gardening on a budget
“It’s also easy to garden on a budget, even for free. And if I can do it, so can you. I’m really proud to be supporting Leonard Cheshire’s work with the National Garden Scheme to spread this important message and make gardens and gardening more accessible for everyone.”
Laura Crandley, executive director of Partnerships for Leonard Cheshire, said: “We’re very excited about our partnership with the National Garden Scheme. It is enabling us to bring the benefits of gardens and gardening closer to the people we support.”
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Mark’s support, and together we plan to show that gardens can provide opportunities for everyone, whatever their ability.”
George Plumptre, CEO of the National Garden Scheme, said: “It is fantastic Mark Lane is teaming up with Leonard Cheshire. As an individual who opens his garden to the public under the National Garden Scheme, he is the perfect advocate of the positive effects of gardens on mental and physical well-being.”
