Groundwork Northamptonshire Archives

Green Minds create space for wellbeing Since April, we have been working with Groundwork Northamptonshire, the Green Minds group and service users at the Corby Mind centre in Argyll Street on a creative garden project as part of a wider transformation project. The Green Minds group have been busy working with the Groundwork Green Patch team to transform the garden, including creating new informal meeting areas, creating wildlife-friendly areas, planting veg and herb patches as well as sowing different flowers that will keep the space looking its best all year round. Working with Tom Briggs, our Community Engagement Coordinator, the group discussed lots of possible sculptures and projects that might fit in the garden before choosing artist Dan Wilson to work with them over three weeks to design and create a series of murals. They decided to create a spotters guide to some of wildlife found in the garden, including red kites, bluebells and robins, with each artwork depicting flora and fauna from each of the four seasons. The budding artists enjoyed getting hands-on with spray painting under Dan’s expert guidance, developing their creative skills and confidence to create something totally unique for their garden. On a gloriously sunny day on the 8th of June, the Green Minds group gathered with staff from Groundwork Northamptonshire Green Patch, Northamptonshire Mind and Made With Many to celebrate the work of everyone involved in the project, whilst enjoying afternoon tea in the garden. Polly Shackleton, from The Green Patch at Groundwork Northamptonshire, commented, “Groundwork Northants have been working with our ‘Green Minds’ gardening and peer support group to create an inclusive community space within the garden of Corby Mind, inspired by The Green Patch in Kettering. As well as recently building a raised bed community vegetable plot and heart-shaped seating area, we have also enjoyed working with artist Dan Wilson to create some wonderful murals for the garden walls, depicting the wildlife and plants that can be spotted within the garden throughout the seasons. Every member of the group was able to play a part in planning, designing and having a go with the spray paints while learning some new skills and we are really proud of all their efforts.” CEO of Northamptonshire Mind Sarah Hillier said: “This is a fantastic and inspiring example of groups working together and with us here at Mind, to create something truly special at our base in Corby. The amazing efforts of all those involved – not to mention the truly outstanding talent on show – took our breath away. We are both honoured and proud to have been involved in such a collaborative community project. Well done to everyone.” Tom Briggs, Community Engagement Coordinator at Made With Many commented, “The group have been fantastic at working with Dan and together they have drawn everything from Star Wars characters to local wildlife. It's been great to see these hard working gardeners taking a break to sketch together. The whole garden has been buzzing with creativity.” About the Artist Mixing epic commercial jobs with local community projects, Daniel Wilson is an award-winning artist specialising in murals and public artworks. http://www.decreate.co.uk Supported by This project has been supported by the government’s Loneliness and Isolation Fund to provide immediate, targeted relief to those most at risk of loneliness as a result of Covid-19. Keep in Touch For future updates on news, events and opportunities please sign up to the e-newsletter or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn – or Get Inspired on our website.