New Garden Launches to Alleviate Social Isolation

A dedicated outdoor space designed to enhance resident wellbeing and reduce social isolation is set to be inaugurated. The area at Yarm Wellness, situated at the intersection of West Street and High Church Wynd, will be officially opened to the public at 13:30 BST this Saturday.

Linda Fisher, a 68-year-old volunteer, first encountered the hub two years prior when she was experiencing social isolation. She described the upcoming garden as a potential "ice-breaker" for passersby. Currently under development, the community garden will feature three distinct zones, including accessible raised plant beds, flower beds, and seating areas.

Fisher spent the duration of the pandemic lockdown caring for her family and working long hours in the healthcare sector. However, upon retiring, she found herself without a social circle. After her initial attempts to connect with the charity were hindered by a lack of confidence, she was eventually invited to join the hub—a move she credited with changing her life. Now a volunteer, Fisher noted that she has built new friendships and is no longer "feeling alone."

"I’ve got my group of friends now and an amazing community in Yarm who I mostly met through the Wellness centre," she said. "The garden is going to be transformational. I'm looking forward to growing things; it's good for your mental health."

The centre currently offers a weekly schedule that includes peer support groups, drop-in cafés, wellbeing classes, as well as creative and musical sessions. The new outdoor area, which has been developed on adjacent arches obtained from Network Rail, will broaden the facility’s offerings. Future additions include the Wellness Shed project, a sensory garden with raised beds, and a dedicated space for outdoor yoga and mindfulness.

Richard Barker, an 82-year-old volunteer who leads the Creative Art for Wellness sessions, also highlighted the facility's impact. Having lost his wife 13 years ago and watched his children move away for work, Barker described the centre as a "lifeline."

"It gave me a purpose in life to actually get out and do things," he said. The former electrical engineer expressed his excitement for the new development: "I can't wait to sit outside; I would love to see the plants growing."

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-04-16 05:07:31 UTC