They work on the garden every week to provide a green space for local residents
VOLUNTEERS from Llandaff North-based charity Hapus Wales have transformed a small plot of land into a community garden that local residents ” really appreciate”, according to the charity.
People at Hapus Wales and its beneficiaries work on the garden every week to “give something back to the local community”, the charity said.
The Hapus Wales charity shop is based almost opposite the community garden on Station Road in Llandaff North.
The charity started to look after the plot in spring 2021 after being given permission to take care of it from Alight Media who took over the plot and the billboard above it.
A spokesperson for Hapus Wales said: “We took it over for us and our beneficiaries to give something back to the local community.
“It was a project for our beneficiaries with the aim of turning a small plot of land into green space for locals to enjoy on the Llandaff North high street.”
While local people benefit from the community garden, it also helps Hapus Wales’ beneficiaries who volunteer to work on the community garden.
The charity provides “work experience and community-based engagement opportunities for people with additional learning needs and mental health problems”, according to a spokesperson.
A spokesperson said: “The gardening is therapeutic, providing a sense of achievement for beneficiaries whilst watching their plants grow and insects be attracted.
“The work has increased the confidence levels of our beneficiaries, giving them a talking point and something to be proud of. They have learned about the seasons and planting and caring for different types of plants and flowers.
“We feel that the gardening has helped reduce stress, improve focus, dexterity and planning skills, whilst also being a source of exercise.”
Those at Hapus Wales and its beneficiaries try to work on the garden every week, but local residents help out too.
Julian Hollyman, a gardener, volunteers to work on the community garden every few months.
The gardener offered his help and advice when Hapus Wales started to work on the community garden.
The 51-year-old helps with major work every few months, guiding the other volunteers.
“I’ll say ‘oh prune back this’ or ‘do some weeding’ or ‘fork it over’ and stuff like that but, like I said, it all helps the others,” Mr Hollyman said.
There has been a big community impact from the garden, according to Mr Hollyman.
He said: “When I come down to do it, the amount of people who stop and talk to me and say ‘oh it looks really nice now and you’re really doing a nice job on it’. Not just me but all of the volunteers.”
The charity has also seen that the garden has made a local impact.
A spokesperson for Hapus Wales said: “Local people seem to appreciate the garden. We were able to get a bench kindly donated by Welsh Water, which is made from fully recycled plastic.
“The garden is used regularly and we often get nice comments on it and our efforts.”
