ByJonathan Kalmus, Jonathan Kalmus
Leaders of a new £150,000 project which uses horticulture to help those with conditions such as depression is reaching out to Salford Jewry.
Garden Need received a grant from the Big Lottery Eco Minds Fund to purchase and rejuvenate a run-down garden centre located close to Jewish homes and synagogues. It will offer gardening courses designed to improve mental well-being.
Not-for-profit organisation Social Adventures, which is behind the scheme, already runs a number of local community social enterprise projects.
It will be formally launched on Sunday with a kosher tea party and family entertainment. Children will be taught how to grow salad ingredients.
Month-long gardening courses aimed at those with conditions ranging from depression to schizophrenia have already begun, also offering a stepping stone to qualification in horticulture.
Social Adventure's Emma Smith said: "We are aware we are in the middle of the Jewish community and Jewish customers are already coming in, so we wanted to do something that was inclusive. We've even had advice on the best kosher cakes for Sunday."