NFU Mutual Volunteering Days in May
May has been a month of teamwork, care and community spirit as we welcomed NFU Mutual volunteers for two uplifting volunteering days, one at the garden we care for at Stratford-upon-Avon hospital and one at The Garden of Arden. Their energy and enthusiasm brought a real boost to our wellbeing spaces, helping us nurture the green spaces that mean so much to so many.
Garden of Arden
Our partners at NFU have once again made a remarkable difference to The Garden of Arden, helping us create and enhance the spaces that will be used by our community groups throughout the summer. Their energy and commitment have transformed key areas of our site and set the stage for a season filled with growth, creativity and connection.
The volunteers revitalised one of our growing spaces by extending the bark chipping base around the hedging, clearing weeds and preparing the area for planting. This space will soon be brought to life by our group that supports people with mental health challenges and additional support needs, offering them a calm and purposeful place to grow an array of plants together.
They also enhanced one of our seating areas, laying fresh bark chippings, painting benches and tables and creating a welcoming spot for visitors to sit, enjoy the landscape and take a peaceful break for lunch. Their work has made this corner of the site feel brighter, more inviting and ready for the many people who will use it over the coming months.
The team continued the progress started by a previous NFU volunteering group by completing the Ruby Red medicinal garden area. They filled the circular raised bed planters with fresh peat‑free compost, making them ready to plant with beneficial species that will support wellbeing and provide another meaningful community growing space.
Sustainability was at the heart of their efforts too. Using wood offcuts saved from a skip, the volunteers made new bird boxes to replace those damaged by the weather. These handmade boxes will help build biodiversity and offer safe nesting spaces for small birds, adding life and song to the garden. The team also collected garden waste from around the site and placed it in the on‑site compost bay, where it will be shredded and left to break down over time into nutrient‑rich compost that we will use to top up the garden beds and support future planting.
Stratford Hospital Gardens
At Stratford‑upon‑Avon Hospital, the team focused on enhancing The Garden of Wellbeing and the surrounding green areas. They began by trimming and shaping the hedgerow along the pathway to ensure safe and accessible movement through the space. The volunteers then shredded the garden waste so it could be taken off site and composted, helping us manage materials responsibly and keep the area tidy.
They weeded and planted throughout the garden, bringing fresh life and colour to the beds and borders and helping the whole space feel brighter and more vibrant as it moves into the summer months.
The team also painted the fences in the Nichol Unit garden in an Urban Slate shade, which immediately lifted the appearance of the space, protected the wood from the elements and helped to highlight the garden art that decorates the fence.
Much of the day was also spent upcycling the garden furniture by sanding everything back and giving each piece a fresh coat of Forest Oak paint to restore warmth and character.
Thank You
We are deeply grateful to the NFU volunteers for their productivity, hard work and generosity. Thanks to their efforts, these spaces are getting ready to welcome many people who will enjoy the art of gardening, find moments of calm and take part in community activities throughout the summer.