Woman says garden turned her life around

A woman has credited a community garden for helping her overcome depression and anxiety.

Pauline Hannah, 65, from Workington, was grieving two family members and dealing with the physical and mental aftermath of having breast cancer.

Ms Hannah said she did not want to get dressed or go anywhere.

After deciding to look for help, discovered the town's Grow Well Community Garden and said she now feels "fresh" and "happy".

Ms Hannah has suffered from breast cancer twice, and after losing her mother and sister, said she wanted to die.

Her GP socially prescribed "wellness walks".

Social prescribing is when a doctor decides that drugs are not the best way to treat someone, and that they would benefit more from a social activity.

Ms Hannah then started exploring other ways to help herself feel better, and discovered the Grow Well Community Garden in Vulcan Park, in Workington.

She said she felt welcomed there, and now sees herself as part of a family.

The garden is part of the Green Community Hub, run by the national environmental charity Groundwork.

Ms Hannah said that planting and meeting new people has turned her life around, and she "doesn't want to die anymore".

She now volunteers at the garden to help others who may be struggling.

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