Pepper’s - A Safe Place transform Oakham Fire Station garden into community space

A fire station garden has been transformed to provide a safe space for the community.

In the past two months a team from the mental health group, Pepper’s - A Safe Place, has been working hard to brighten up the Oakham Fire Station garden in an effort to create a welcoming community space.

Crew members at the fire station have been looking to utilise their outdoor space for some time so decided to team up with the Rutland-based community group to promote positive mental wellbeing.

Together they have been planting, weeding, painting, building and tidying up while receiving support from the community, with donations of bulbs, plants, paint, a boat, and plant boxes from the Men in Sheds group.

Pippa Gorman, development manager at Pepper’s- A Safe Place, said: “It’s been lovely to see the transformation of the garden and to see so many people get involved.

“We hope that in spring next year it will be a colourful, bright and relaxing space for the community to enjoy.”

There are plenty of jobs left to do before winter and the group is keen to involve the community in the work.

So far, the project has been led by Julie Abell, she said: “Gardening can be so beneficial for our mental health, we’re keen to get as many people involved as possible.”

The gardening group meet every other week on Tuesday afternoons.

To get involved call 07714 503 556 or e-mail info@peppersrutland.co.uk.