First impressions
It was a cold, bleak February day in 2024 when I first visited the garden. I was pretty decimated with grief at that point. I went into the cottage garden with one of the garden team and there was nothing growing there - just stones on the ground. When I started attending in April the garden had sprung up a couple of feet and by July everything was over my head!
I found it difficult at first that things were task-centred and not talking therapy based. I wasn't expecting that...there were a lot of older chaps and I found it hard to feel that I fitted in with them but eventually we got to the point of having a laugh together.
It was a continuous process of renewal with new people arriving all the time. The talking sessions like Beyond Bridewell helped me to get to know the back story of people which was eye-opening. Knowing people's back stories helped us to bond more and gave a sense of camaraderie.
Getting in to it
Staff knew when to listen when I needed it and were a huge comfort and support through difficult times. They also helped us all to focus on tasks and get into a flow state - which helps alleviate stress and depression.
As for the tasks, you learned to do things at scale, like sowing seeds, potting on etc to a professional standard which has proved very helpful to me.
On one of the courses I did here "You're hired", the trainer asked the question "What do you need to be doing to get to where you want to be?" I'd long held a dream of doing something horticultural for a living and this question made me reflect that I needed to get onto one of the college courses run by Abingdon & Witney college. The RHS Level 2 Plant Science Development had already started by I got a place in September 2024. I did it off my own bat. The course was on a Saturday and required extra study - it was a stretch for me as I was already working 3 days a week in an awful office job and coming to Bridewell one day a week.
"I'd long held a dream of doing something horticultural for a living"
Developing skills
In October 2024 things went really wrong with my part-time job - it had been depressing the daylights out of me anyway - so I went off sick knowing I wouldn't return. The Bridewell team helped me to move on and obtain a small settlement - their support was absolutely invaluable. So, with the RHS training I started my career switch. It was hard but I learned a lot.
I was also interested in wildlife, and I did an "Essential Gardening Skills" course with Alan from TWIGS community garden in Swindon. They have a therapeutic horticulture set-up like Bridewell. This course helped me to consolidate my growing knowledge. It consisted of 8 two- hour sessions. The best one was a Bug Safari. He showed us parasitic wasps in action on aphids, showcasing the natural balance and pest control to be achieved in organic gardening. I think the organic ethos of the place makes it all the more welcoming as a place.
I finished the RHS course in May 2025, passed it and applied for a part-time job as a gardener. I now work in a most romantic manor/estate with a walled kitchen garden, orchard, meadows and lakes. There's a lovely team who say thank you to me for doing my job. They do use pesticides very occasionally and it makes me wince a little, but they pay me so I put up and shut up. It's so lovely being in a green workplace with birdsong. Bridewell helped me get there.
"It's so lovely being in a green workplace with birdsong."
What's next?
During my time at Bridewell, I've had a rocky ride and some tough times including with my old job, my home, with my car and more recently the benefits system. Throughout the staff have been so supportive.
In addition, after two years, I've made great friends and we've had such a laugh. I'll probably go to Bridewell Connect sessions now I've left to stay in touch. I have also been referred for some gruelling counselling in Oxford for two years.
The Bridewell garden team took me to meet the lady who runs Long Mead Nature Recovery Network who wanted a Butterfly Recorder and I'm going to do that. The data goes to Butterfly Conservation. My long-term aim is to be a Wildlife Gardener.
Being at Bridewell helped me to trust again, as did working alongside gardeners with similar issues in the positive atmosphere that staff create. I've also learned to trust myself and believe in myself - that I can do what I want to do. I'm looking forward to the Open Days and the Barbecue.
photo: @urbansquirrel
