Big thank you to retiring volunteer gardeners
A special surprise party was held at a crisis house in Rushden to celebrate the efforts of two volunteer gardeners who are retiring in their 80s.
John (87) and Sue Walker (83) – pictured - started volunteering at NHFT’s crisis house The Martins, in Rushden, around the time of the Covid lockdown, and have been tending the garden two or three times a week since then, racking up hours of work and dedication.
The couple’s tireless efforts have transformed the garden for people that use the tranquil space during their stay at The Martins, which provides a safe environment for people who are suffering a mental health crisis.
They have created flower and plant beds, as well as a pond which has now become habitat to a number of insects such as dragonflies.
The celebration event, on Wednesday 14 August 2024, was attended by a number of guests and included a barbecue and cake, as well as the presentation of gifts.
A new bench was also unveiled in the gardens, with a plaque on it that read: “Relax and enjoy John and Sue”, as well as displays of personal messages from NHFT support workers and service users about what the couple mean to them.
Sue said her favourite part of the garden was the roses because they are so hardy, and John said they got involved because they “saw an opportunity” to create something wonderful from 
a relatively empty space.
Gary Allebone, crisis support worker at the Martins, said the amazing work of the pair has inspired others.
Gary said: “They’ve been indispensable; there’s been so many times that people have been out and smelt the flowers and noticed them, and they’ve gone home and said I’ve started growing again.”