Growing Hope: Derbyshire Resident Finds Better Mental Health Through Gardening and Baking
By Mental Health Correspondent
A Derbyshire man who once struggled with confidence says gardening and baking have helped transform his mental health — and now he’s encouraging others to get involved too.
Leo Webberley, 20, from Heanor, has been living with Derby-founded Derventio Housing Trust since 2024.
Over the past year, he says spending time growing vegetables, cooking meals and helping others at the charity’s Growing Lives project in Ilkeston has given him a sense of purpose and routine.
The project brings together people who have experienced homelessness or difficult periods in their lives through activities including gardening, crafts, bike repairs and walks.
Participants also help maintain a greenhouse and garden where vegetables are grown and later cooked into shared meals.
For Leo, it started with a love of organising, gardening and baking.
“When I garden, my head goes into a different planet,” he said. “It’s relaxing and tranquil. Gardening gives you routine and structure and releases good endorphins.”
He now volunteers as a peer mentor, helping other residents and participants try activities and build confidence.
“Just seeing people smile makes me smile,” he said. “There’s too much stereotyping and negativity in the world. We need more kindness.”
Recently, Leo helped organise a sunflower planting activity for participants.
“People enjoyed getting involved together,” he said. “That’s what I want to do here — help grow the garden and make people feel good.”
He also credits staff at the housing trust for encouraging residents to take up hobbies and spend more time outdoors.
“My housing officer brought us plant pots,” he said. “It helped me and my housemate do something positive instead of just sitting indoors.”
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The comments came during Mental Health Awareness Week, when participants at Growing Lives marked Wear It Green Day with green-themed food and activities aimed at encouraging conversations around mental wellbeing.
Resident Hannah Blacker said being open about mental health is important.
“The worst thing you can do is keep it all in,” she said. “Anyone could be struggling and you might not know.”
She said activities such as reading, music and gem art help her manage her own wellbeing and described the support she had received through Derventio as “very welcoming”.
Managing director Sarah Hernandez said the organisation aims to provide more than accommodation alone.
“It’s important people feel supported and connected, not just housed,” she said. “Projects like Growing Lives help people rebuild confidence, friendships and routine.”
