Homelessness charity to challenge stigmas at RHS Tatton Park

A group of Petrus volunteers and service users, halfway through the build

Rochdale-based homelessness charity, Petrus Community, is heading back to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Flower Show Tatton Park this summer for the fourth year.

As part of the Terraced Gardens category, Petrus staff, volunteers and service users have designed and built a garden called ‘The Empowerment Garden,’ which will highlight how community food-growing projects can empower people and communities.

The garden will create a space that is both productive, and attractive, demonstrating that growing edible plants and creating pollinator friendly spaces doesn’t come at the expense of an aesthetically pleasing and relaxing garden space.

Rachael Bennion, Petrus Service Manager, said: “Going to RHS Tatton is an incredible experience for us all. It gives us the opportunity to showcase the positive impact gardening has had on our service users, empowering them to improve their physical and mental health, and take ownership of a space.”

Users exhibiting at the show are engaged with Petrus through their social prescribing work, taking place on their community allotment, PIER (Petrus Incredible Edibles Rochdale).

The PIER project is celebrating 10 years of helping people break negative routines, reduce isolation and find routes to employment in 2023.

Rachael continued: “By attending the show, we are able to challenge some of the negative stereotypes associated with homelessness and show what our service users are capable of achieving.”

The team is hoping that this is the year that they will secure a gold medal for their entry, having previously secured bronze, silver and silver gilt medals, as well as scooping the highly acclaimed People’s Choice Award in 2019, 2021 and 2022.
 

Read more: Double award win for Rochdale homelessness charity at RHS Tatton ParkPublished: 29 July 2022

This year's garden has been sponsored by local businesses, M&Y Maintenance and Construction, Garden 360 and PDS Doorsets, and supported by a grant from the Eric Wright Charitable Trust.