VIDEO - SERC Wellbeing Garden Opened in Autumnal Sunshine

SERC's Wellbeing Garden was officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Robert Adair on Friday 19 November.

Guests from local community organisations, political representatives and the College Management Team joined with volunteers and the SERC Horticultural team to celebrate the opening.

Located in the grounds of SERC’s Holywood Campus, on Old Holywood Road, the Wellbeing Garden has been in the making since 2019, when the College secured funding from the Ulster Garden Villages Ltd Grant Fund to develop a horticultural therapy garden for the Holywood community.  Since then, the horticultural team at SERC, supported by trainees and a band of green-fingered volunteers, have been developing the garden into an oasis containing a wildflower meadow and pond, a long boarder, a boundary garden and a tranquil shrub garden, with seating throughout.

The Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Robert Adair, said, “The pandemic has taught many people about the importance of outdoor spaces for our physical and mental wellbeing, so I am sure this project will be valued and cherished for everything it offers the local community. It provides many benefits to the residents of Holywood and those in the wider Borough. Gardens are continually changing and offering more gifts from nature, so I am looking forward to visiting again, in the near future, to see how it develops.”

Speaking on behalf of the volunteers involved in the garden, Helen McAneney, a student on the RHS Horticulture course who has also completed the Level 2 in Garden Design said, “I was delighted to answer the call to volunteer in all aspects of the garden, from digging and painting, to planting. Being involved in the development of the pond from start to finish, provided great practical experience and it was a lot of fun making connections with the other volunteers whilst learning from each other."

She added, “SERC’s Wellbeing Garden certainly helps fulfil the ‘Take 5’ steps to mental wellbeing by offering a place to connect, be active, learn new skills, give to others and paying attention for present moment.   I come away happy each time I am here, and hope others will enjoy the same benefits.”

SERC Horticulture Lecturer, Claire Dunwoody, “We are delighted that all the hard work in the garden has finally come to fruition. We are all looking forward to the joy the garden will give over the coming seasons as we see fresh shoots, bursts of colour and the turning of the leaves.  She added, "Over the last few years there has been growing evidence supporting the benefits of horticultural therapy, community growing, green spaces and outdoor education for physical and mental wellbeing. This exciting project will provide that all important wellbeing space for the local community.”

BBC Radio Ulster's Gardeners' Corner presenter David Maxwell called into the garden to meet Claire and the team which was featured on the show on Saturday 20th November - Listen here.