Peartree Partnership 2009

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This article highlights the exciting work of the peartree partnership and features a video of the work that has been taking place.

The mental health support worker wanted to share this with his clients and the Pear Tree Partnership was born.

Now the allotment in Headingley, Leeds, is buzzing four days a week with a dedicated band of gardeners.

All have been diagnosed with a personality disorder and say growing everything from rhubarb to radishes has helped them immensely.

Joyce Sagar was one of the partnership's original attendees.

The 50-year-old had spent years in and out of hospital with severe depression before she was diagnosed and Nigel became her support worker.

When he asked if she fancied coming along to the allotment, she was bitten by the gardening bug.

"I have got a lot out of it," said Joyce, from Lower Wortley. "It's certainly helped. I've actually got my own allotment now that I do with my family."

Lisa-Marie Carley, from Swinnow, wasn't sure about the idea at first but now loves it.

"It's really therapeutic, it's relaxing and lovely and peaceful," the 39-year-old said.

"It's great to start from planting, learning how to plant, then seeing them grow and progress and then picking the fruit or veg and trying them out as well."

Katrina Deighton added: "I came down here and really loved it, being out in the fresh air, meeting people and learning about things.

"I have blips but coming down here and talking to people really does help.

The 51-year-old, who previously had a 10-year stint in hospital, said it was also an escape from the stigma mental health issues can bring. "You mention mental health and people back off but here we are all the same and we get on really well."

Picking runner beans, Sarah Rae, 34 from Hawksworth, also said she really liked coming along.

Mr Turton, technical instructor for the partnership which is run by Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust, said: "It's been great, not just for the clients but great for me.

"This is a safe, friendly environment where service users can have a day off feeling poorly.

"The big thing is feeling valued, they have got a role and it gives them an identity."

The scheme, which is part of the Personality Disorder Clinical Network, has won an innovation award and now there are several other similar horticulture projects.

Mr Turton has also started a winter programme where clients do woodwork, cookery and art linked to the allotment.

Next the Pear Tree Partnership is hoping to start a social enterprise on private land so they can sell their produce and is also planning an allotment scheme for people with disabilities.