4 minute read
Lindengate Charity reveals plans to blossom
By Jo Durden-Moore
Wendover’s mental health charity, Lindengate, has launched an ambitious new three-year strategy. It aims to double the number of people who benefit from Lindengate’s gardens and wellbeing programmes from 3,000 currently, to 6,000 by 2028.
At the heart of its strategy is a call to action encouraging people to support and nurture themselves: mentally, physically, spiritually – for the good of everyone in the wider community. It’s based on the concept of social and therapeutic horticulture which is at the centre of everything Lindengate delivers, with a new tagline ‘Let’s all grow together.’
Individuals of all ages visit Lindengate to work in the beautiful six-acre garden, learn skills, meet new friends, build confidence and resilience and find support when they need it most. Whilst social and therapeutic horticulture is not new, Lindengate is innovative in how it harnesses the power of nature for a purpose. The design of the garden is conservation-led and designed to bring people together. Lindengate’s ambition to grow comes at a time of severe pressures being placed on UK mental health services. It’s estimated that one in four adults suffer from some form of mental health issue in their lifetime, with less than 5% of them receiving any form of funded help or facing long waiting times for treatment.
The charity provides a lifeline for individuals or families suffering from anxiety, depression, or social isolation. It helps all manner of people with physical or mental health conditions and those living with differences which can be challenging to navigate.
Fundraising successes
The new strategy follows two hugely successful fundraising initiatives in December – the hotly anticipated ‘Christmas Extravaganza’ which sold-out in days – welcomed over 100 people to the garden. The second, the ‘Big Give Christmas Appeal’, exceeded its target in a matter of weeks. Whilst financial pressures on charities across Buckinghamshire and beyond remain tighter than ever, donations continue to appear, and record numbers of new volunteers and interest in programmes are being logged so far. Most encouraging is the fact that the charity is seeing many younger volunteers (aptly called ‘green volunteers’), committing to the charity beyond their school years.
Dedicated staff and volunteers dig in
The dedicated team of 11 staff ensure the garden is well managed and that the well-being programmes are structured and safe. Supporting the staff are hundreds of passionate volunteers who ensure the garden is nurtured and the well-being programmes continue to be a success. They also contribute by running the well-being workshops, helping with admin, baking cakes and making many cups of tea, running events and fundraising initiatives. Part of the fundraising includes them creating bespoke items for the garden and to sell.
At the end of 2025, the trustees put a new leadership team in place to deliver the new strategy by promoting from within the organisation. Andy Grant, a passionate and dedicated horticulturist and superb people-focused leader is general manager, Jacqui Greenham, a brilliant horticultural therapist and highly experienced change manager is programmes and business manager and Jane Leathers, a commercial and financial expert, assumes the role of finance manager.
Chair of trustees, Frank Durden, said “Andy, Jacqui and Jane bring a wealth of knowledge in horticulture, well-being, business and programme management. Alongside that, their ability to bring people together makes them the perfect team to bring our new strategy to life and deliver on our much-needed, ambitious goals.”
The Trustee Board has been strengthened by the arrival last year of Jane Penton, who is volunteering officer at the Alzheimer’s Society and a long-standing governor at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School. More recently there was the appointment of Sheila Bulpett, wellknown to Wendover and surrounding villages for her tireless work in the community as a trustee of the Lionel Abel Trust and former chair of Wendover Parish Council.
Lindengate Charity also announced that Roger Jefcoate, CBE DL, who is a long standing passionate supporter of Lindengate, has agreed to be vice-patron working alongside current patron, The Countess Howe, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire.
The gardens are open to all visitors on Wednesday – Saturdays between 11am to 3pm and on Saturdays between 1pm and 3pm. Its open-days and popular events kick off on Saturday 19 April with an Easter Egg Hunt. For more details about the work Lindengate does, to get involved, donate or volunteer visit www.lindengate.org.uk.
