In the coming weeks, surprise bouquets will be delivered to people around Widnes, Cheshire, who need a pick-me-up. Blooms will go to, among others, care homes, cancer patients and the local hospice, with the aim of spreading the message “there is a light at the end of tunnel, spring is coming, it’s going to change, hang in there”.
The bunches of tulips and daffodils will be arranged and delivered by members of voluntary organisation Wonky Garden, which was set up to harness the therapeutic power of nature. “We can deliver smiles across the community,” says the group’s co-founder Angela Hayler.
Conversations between Hayler and two fellow cancer patients during their treatment led to them setting up the Wonky Garden in 2017. The award-winning community growing project has worked with hundreds of people from the area, including those with dementia and cancer, children and adults with additional needs, those experiencing social isolation, unemployed people and young carers.
But last year’s lockdowns meant much of the project’s work had to be scaled back – while its…
