SAGE Greenfingers is more than just a community garden – it’s a ‘horticultural therapy project’ for adults with mental health needs.

Set in the heart of one of the most disadvantaged, multi-racial areas of inner city Sheffield, they specialise in reaching out to people who wrestle with complex challenges.

SAGE offers a space where issues such as: being a carer, recovering from substance misuse, coming to terms with bereavement, dealing with redundancy, hoping to become a UK citizen, mental health problems, physical health challenges, and social isolation can be addressed in a holistic way through gardening.

Set up 11 years ago by a GP surgery that realised mental health needs were ever increasing, but people were failing to engage with mainstream services. They trialled gardening as a way of drawing people in, and when it proved successful they secured capital funds to convert 5 local allotments into a beautiful inner-city garden. They have created a safe outdoor space that boasts a sensory mix of flowers, fruit, herbs and vegetables, stunning views over the urban valley, seating areas, raised beds, graded paths, disabled access toilets and 3 sheltered spaces.