This autumn, Aldershot Military Museum is starting an exciting new project which will see the creation of a garden, designed and built by veterans, serving forces and civilians from the local community. The project, titled The Resilience Garden, has received funding from both the MOD and Hampshire Gardens Trust.
Aldershot Military Museum Community Manager, Neil Couzens said: “The Resilience Garden is a really exciting project which will see the transformation of the outside space at the museum by the local community through a series of guided workshops this autumn and into spring 2022. Volunteers will be at the heart of the project, planning the design, growing the plants and building the seating- providing a space to reduce stress, get active and socialise.”
In addition to the gardening workshops during the winter, there will be a series of optional creative sessions delivered inside the museum, where volunteers will build features for the garden including a 3D mosaic and willow plant supports, taking inspiration from the museum’s willow war horse created by artists Judith Needham in 2014.
The project is one of a series of initiatives taking place at Aldershot Military Museum, which is operated by charity Hampshire Cultural Trust, bringing different parts of the community together and supporting wellbeing through practical, hands-on activity.
Project Co-ordinator Helen Ellis said: “All sessions are free, and we are recruiting now to enable us to start in mid-November. Volunteers don’t need any previous gardening experience and all tools and equipment will be provided along with cups of tea and a friendly welcome.”
To learn more about The Resilience Garden or to sign up, please email Helen at garden4resilience@gmail.com, or call 07904 808113.