“Volunteering, especially gardening, helped me at a really bad time, and now I carry on because I enjoy it,” said Northolt resident Cheryl – who transformed an unexpected redundancy into an opportunity to contribute to her community.

Guided by a passion for helping others, Cheryl has made a positive impact on her community – and herself – one flower patch at a time. “If it makes one person smile, it’s worth doing,” she said.

After losing her job of 25 years, Cheryl discovered the rewarding and therapeutic power of gardening during the COVID-19 pandemic, which soon became a way to connect with others and bring positivity to her neighbourhood.

“For me personally, doing the gardening really helped with my mental health after the redundancy,” Cheryl explained.

Living in a flat without a garden, Cheryl’s journey into voluntary gardening started with helping her sister and daughter with their overgrown gardens, before helping the caretaker in her own building. Cheryl then started gardening at Maytree Court – a nearby sheltered housing block for older adults managed by the council – after meeting the council’s sheltered housing officer, Anna England, through a resident’s family member.

Cheryl’s creative touch has transformed the communal garden at Maytree Court, turning bare patches into vibrant flower beds to brighten the days of residents – many of whom are in their 90s and unable to garden themselves.

Mutually beneficial

For Cheryl, the benefits of her voluntary work go beyond the gardens. Spending time with the elderly residents, hearing their stories, and receiving their heartfelt gratitude has been deeply fulfilling. “Half the time, I’m just chatting with them,” she said. “They pass me cups of tea through their windows.”

Through her voluntary work, Cheryl has found an outlet for creativity and a new sense of community. Despite not being a seasoned gardener, she has embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and curiosity, learning through trial and error.

“I enjoy seeing the plants grow and learning what works,” Cheryl explained. “It’s hit and miss sometimes, but I’m not worried about something dying – I just try something else. It’s nice to have the creative freedom to do what I want while helping others at the same time.”

A positive impact

Lesley Leonard-Williams lives in Maytree Court and has seen first-hand the difference Cheryl has made.

She said: “Cheryl started work at Maytree Court a few years ago on a garden that was completely out of control. Within a very short time she had turned the garden into a beautiful place that you would like to sit in and enjoy. She worked extremely hard, weeding and planting bulbs, shrubs, and flowers all around the site. She is a very lovely hardworking person and gets on with all the residents at Maytree Court.”

Councillor Louise Brett, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for safe and genuinely affordable homes, said: “Cheryl is a shining example of how volunteering can transform not only physical spaces, but also spark a sense of belonging and connection.

“Her story highlights how one person’s efforts can bring beauty, joy, and connection to many. By taking action and ownership, residents like Cheryl go to show how individual efforts can seed a positive change within a community and build a stronger, more vibrant neighbourhood.”

Looking to volunteer?

You can find out more about volunteering at the council’s sheltered accommodation schemes by emailing residentinvolvement@ealing.gov.uk or call 020 8825 6535.