“I like volunteering at the garden because I get to see things blossom” – Lottie’s Story

In May 2023, a new community garden began to take shape in Hattersley. What started as an overgrown and unused piece of land was slowly transformed into Vitality Gardens through the GM Green Spaces Fund, a welcoming green space created through the hard work of local volunteers.

One of those volunteers was Lottie, who got involved right from the start.

Lottie jumped in with enthusiasm, helping to sow seeds, plant flowers and vegetables, weed the beds, and eventually harvest the produce she had helped grow. She also enjoyed eating the fresh fruit and vegetables that came from her hard work.

Beyond gardening, Lottie used her creative skills to bring even more life to the community garden. She made colourful bunting, decorated pumpkins, and helped give the garden a fun, personal touch. Now 11 years old, Lottie has continued to stay involved in new ways—designing the garden’s Easter leaflet and handing it out to family and friends.

She’s even recorded a voice message to support a funding application, explaining in her own words why the garden is so important to her:

I like volunteering at the garden because I get to see things blossom, which makes me blossom as a human. The more things you do, the more things you know, the more things you know the more places you go, and the more places you go the more you blossom and bloom.

Lottie’s journey shows how community projects like Vitality Gardens can have a big impact, helping people of all ages learn new skills, make connections, and grow in confidence.