Greenfingers grow grant

THE Co-operative Group is helping people with mental health problems in Peterborough put their gardening skills to good use with a &#163 450 donation from its Community Dividend...

THE Co-operative Group is helping people with mental health problems in Peterborough put their gardening skills to good use with a &#163 450 donation from its Community Dividend fund.

The Greenfingers Project, based at the Lucille van Geest Centre at Peterborough District Hospital, provides paid employment for people with severe and enduring mental health problems, and has used the money to buy new gardening tools and equipment.

"The workers use their gardening skills to maintain the gardens of fellow mental health service users. The work helps them gain confidence in their abilities and, in some cases, helps them move on to more mainstream gardening activities in the community," said group facilitator Nora O&#039Shea.

The Community Dividend fund is part of the Co-operative Group&#039s Dividend customer loyalty card scheme which allows shoppers to donate the extra pence in their twice-yearly Dividend payouts to worthy causes.

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