A Derbyshire 20-year-old housed by homeless organisation Derventio Housing Trust has been planting the seeds for better mental health through gardening and baking – and is now helping others to do the same.
Leo Webberley was talking during Mental Health Awareness Week about how his passion for growing green things and helping others find joy has boosted his own sense of wellbeing.
The 20-year-old from Heanor has been living with Derventio Housing Trust since 2024 and has blossomed from a shy teenager to a confident young man – all through growing things in the garden and cooking the veg he grows for fellow residents.
Founded in Derby, Derventio Housing Trust provides accommodation to around 1200 people a year around the UK who would otherwise be homeless.
The organisation also runs projects such as Growing Lives in Ilkeston, which aims to boost confidence and get lives back on track through crafts, gardening, walks, a bike workshop and company.
The project has a flourishing garden and greenhouse in which Leo and the rest of the project team grow vegetables that are then used for cooking meals for participants.
Leo said: “My favourite things to do are organising, baking and gardening and I’m now a peer mentor for Derventio Housing Trust, helping other residents and participants find joy. Just seeing them smile makes me smile.
“It’s important to bring a smile to people. There’s got to be more kindness in the world, there’s too much stereotyping and badness. We need to balance out the scales and be more kind.
“Derventio and Growing Lives are very positive. The staff are amazing, they go above and beyond in their job, even if it’s the smallest thing. For example, my housing officer brought me plant pots and it’s helped my house mate and me garden so they get to do something instead of sitting on the sofa being sad.
“Gardening releases good endorphins, routine and structure.
“I set up activities sometimes. Last week got a wheelbarrow full of soil ready to go so people could plant sunflowers. It was a hands on experience with people laughing and giggling and that’s what I want to do here – try and grow the garden.
“When I garden my head goes into a different planet. It’s just relaxing and tranquil. I like seeing other participants getting stuck into gardening and seeing them smile.”
Leo was talking to mark ‘Wear it Green Day’ – an annual part of Mental Health Awareness Week.
Growing Lives participants wore green and enjoyed a green-themed meal together to raise awareness of good mental health.
Resident Hannah Blacker said: “The worst thing you can do for your mental health is keep it all in. That’s why Mental Health Awareness Week is important. Mental health is quite an important thing in my life – anyone could be suffering and you might not know. That’s why I think wearing it green is important – and I love the colour too!
“Personally for my mental health I do gem art, reading and listening to music. Derventio Housing Trust have been brilliant for me, they have made me feel very welcome.”
Sarah Hernandez, managing director of Derventio Housing Trust, said: “At Derventio Housing Trust it’s very important to us to nurture the people to whom we provide housing – and not just a roof over their head. That’s why weeks such as Mental Health Awareness Week are very important. It’s great to see residents and other Growing Lives participants wearing green and enjoying green food together and I hear they all enjoyed the day.”
Photo shows: Participants in Growing Lives and Derventio Housing Trust staff on ‘Wear it Green Day’
This story was prepared on behalf of Derventio Housing Trust by Lucy Stephens at [email protected]
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