Impressions of the garden
My first impressions of Bridewell were breath taking. I’d waited so long to get here and it was beautiful and touched me beyond words.
It’s hard for me not to be elusive but at Bridewell there’s nowhere to hide. For me it’s got better and better as I’ve deepened into the journey of it.
I remember one of the volunteers said to me early on “You can’t do anything wrong here”. No one makes you do anything but mostly I’ve wanted to do what’s on offer.
“It was beautiful and touched me beyond words”
The time’s gone quickly but looking back there’s been a lot of change. Experiencing a whole year outside shows you all the seasons and how they change. I read a book called “Wintering”. It’s about how you attend to difficulties in your life. It helped me to get through winter and really appreciate what it offers.
The skill of staff and volunteers
The people here show kindness, clearness, structure, choice. This is a reality I can grow in. You grow – just like the plants. Bridewell offers a safe space and gentle care e.g. the set up on arrival. This gives you confidence. Staff have high levels of skill but it seems natural, genuine and it works.
It’s not just how I’ve been treated, it’s how each individual is treated – it’s different for each of us. Your needs are met without having to ask but there is always someone you can ask. Everyone contributes from day one and at all levels.
The volunteers are a nice middle ground as they represent the normal world.
Here I don’t feel responsible for anyone else. The way I’ve got well is by taking more responsibility for myself. Now I’m looking at how I balance my life.
It’s nice watching people get better and then you realise that you are!
"Bridewell offers a safe space and gentle care"
Looking ahead
Bridewell is a big, beautiful part of my life but I do think about leaving and what could be possible after. I have completed a Master’s while here that I had to abandon when I wasn’t well and am now doing a course in Creative Therapy.
It would be good if people who had left could meet up at the garden, perhaps once a month on a weekend when no one else is around.
I have plans to try and replicate what Bridewell does but at a community level as I’ve long recognised the power of this approach. When I’m well I’ve got myself so I can go anywhere and two lovely dogs.
Ideas for Bridewell
Bridewell needs to be constantly evolving but you want it to still be what it is.
Thinking about what has made the difference to me and what could be different in future, I found the practical courses very useful - there could be more.
I have especially enjoyed cooking and eating together at Bridewell and think this could be developed to include everyone together.
The Open Days are an opportunity for gardeners to give back and I’d like to see more of them participating, perhaps in two hour shifts.
I would like to see the development of more physical activities like farm work. Perhaps they should get a farm!
From the Bridewell Team: we're thrilled to read honest and open thoughts of how Bridewell can grow. Thank you so much to gardeners who share their ideas and experiences.
