This year, we celebrate a remarkable milestone—The Patchworking Garden Project turns 10!✨
From a humble idea to a thriving community, our garden has grown into a cherished safe space for so many. As we mark this special anniversary, let’s take a look back at how it all began and some of the key moments that have shaped our journey.
The Beginning: A Seed of an Idea
Like all great gardens, ours started with a simple yet powerful idea—a space where people could come together, find purpose, and heal through nature. Nestled at the foot of Box Hill in Dorking, we found our very own Secret Garden.
But it wasn’t always the vibrant, flourishing haven it is today. The early days were filled with planning, preparation, and plenty of digging (literally!).
With dedication and teamwork, our vision started to take shape, and in June 2015, we officially opened our gates. From that moment, The Patchworking Garden Project became a place of connection, creativity, and care.
Growing Together: A Decade of Milestones
Over the past ten years, we’ve expanded in ways we could never have imagined. Here are just a few key moments in our story:
🌱 Our weekly sessions have provided not just skills but also friendship, routine, and a sense of belonging. The mix of gardening, crafts, and simply sharing a cup of tea has helped so many people find joy and confidence.
🌿 To help volunteers progress further, we established the Patchworking Academy in 2019. It provides a structured route into employment, offering City & Guilds qualifications in practical horticulture. A huge step in turning passion into possibility!
🏡 Over the years, we’ve developed different areas of the garden, each with its own special purpose. From our vegetable beds and prairie garden to the mini orchard, every corner of the garden tells a story.
💚 Recognizing that everyone benefits from different kinds of creativity, we introduced the Quiet Shed (for peaceful crafts, reading, and reflection) and the Noisy Shed (for hands-on woodworking and sewing projects). These spaces have given our volunteers even more opportunities to express themselves and learn new skills.
🌞 From our Summer Open Days to our Christmas Wreath & Crafts Days, we’ve welcomed visitors, families, and supporters to share in our special space. These events have helped raise funds, spread awareness, and most importantly—bring people together.
The Heart of Our Garden: Our Volunteers
At the core of everything we do are the incredible volunteers who make The Patchworking Garden Project what it is today. Over the years, we’ve supported people facing mental health challenges, learning difficulties, physical health issues, dementia, bereavement, and isolation.
But the magic of this place is that everyone contributes equally—whether it’s planting seeds, crafting, sharing a skill, or simply offering a listening ear over tea and cake. Our ethos has remained the same:
✨ Be Kind. Be Gentle. Be Non-Judgmental. ✨
Looking Ahead: The Future is Bright
As we step into our next decade, we continue to dream big. Our goals include:
🌻 Strengthening our existing sessions and creating more opportunities for volunteers.
🌸 Exploring sustainable ways to support our project and offer new skills.
Thank You for 10 Incredible Years!
To everyone who has been part of this journey—volunteers, supporters, donors, and visitors—thank you. Your kindness, time, and belief in what we do have helped this garden grow beyond our wildest dreams.
Here’s to the next 10 years of Patchworking magic! 💚