A BEAUTIFUL new garden which was created by students with special educational needs has officially opened to help with the mental wellbeing of those in the community.
Andover Mind Garden, on the Leckford Estate in Longstock, officially opened on Thursday, July 11 after an extensive project made possible by various local entities, including students from Sparsholt College.
Glorious summer weather set the scene on the joyous occasion as guests and members of the community who worked on the project attended the opening ceremony, with the ribbon being cut by the Mayor of the Test Valley, Cllr Ian Jeffrey.
The garden was the passion project of Libby Hilling, social values delivery manager at Andover Mind, who told the Advertiser that the idea to bring a mental wellbeing garden to the community was rather personal.
SEE ALSO: Spectacular cars, motorbikes and planes at Army museum fundraiser
She said: "My dad died when I was nine and a group of strangers came and they transformed the garden of our house from a patch of mud to a beautiful landscape garden.
"My mum spent hours and hours in the garden, it was a place for her to find respite from life, to grieve, and that's what this is about, providing a place where others can be alone and find that sanctuary to feel safe.
"It's given me my purpose in life, having witnessed my mum in the garden, it's been a very personal experience for me."
Libby was very grateful to all those who helped with the project, she said: "I just want to thank everybody who has helped bring this project to life, it was a real community effort."
"To see my vision come to life, I am absolutely ecstatic.
"Everyone here is so passionate and understanding, it is great to see the hard work pay off. To be able to create a space like this is beautiful, This project gives valuable work experience to SEND students.
"My background is in project management, so that really helped, there were three key areas we needed to organise and they were fundraising, contractors and making a volunteer army.
"For me, it's all been about understanding mental health and this garden can offer a safe place for anyone to come and enjoy.
Gabby Hobart-Davies, lecturer in the Foundation Department at Sparsholt College, said: "Around 25 to 30 students worked tirelessly to help get the garden into shape, the weather wasn't kind to them, they worked in the rain removing flint and mud."
James Youell, curriculum leader for foundation learning at Sparsholt College, said: "Our students who worked on this project all have special educational needs, and to bring this into fruition has been enormous for them.
"I'm really excited for what's to come, it is an ongoing project now and our students will continue to work and learn all the skills they would learn in a workplace, it's a really good option to have."
One of the students who helped bring the project to life was 19-year-old Adam Seymour, he said: "It was hard work but I'm glad how it looks now."
The project was primarily funded by John Lewis and Partners' Golden Jubilee Trust which was established in 2000, and funds placements in around 50 charities per year, giving a wide range of causes valuable hands-on support.
Lydia Butler, social impact specialist at John Lewis Partnership, said: "It is great to see that the Golden Jubilee Trust, which is a separate registered charity, has helped Libby to transform this land from a blank space into the garden it is today, it is really special."
Tracy Higgins, a trustee from the Golden Jubilee Trust, said: "When you're a trustee, you don't often get to see and feel the impact of projects, but this is an example of many people getting together, and learning really amazing skills."
Andy Maidment, director of Traigg Construction, who helped provide many of the materials and build the structures in the garden, said: "It was great to be involved in such an important project, we're honoured that the charity entrusted us to deliver this project."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here