Chelsea Flower Show garden transforms wasteland

The Mind Garden was designed by award-winner Andy Sturgeon

An award-winning garden has been transported to Barrow to be a haven for people struggling with their mental health.

The Mind Garden by Andy Sturgeon, has been transported up the M6 to be rebuilt on wasteland after winning a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show last year.

Mr Sturgeon wanted his "calm" creation to go to a mental health charity and Mind in Furness was chosen.

The garden features 10 silver birch trees as well as curved benches and hedges.

It is hoped the garden will be a space of "calm and tranquility" for volunteers working for the charity Mind

Project Giving Back helps relocate the show's gardens to good causes and sponsored Mr Sturgeon's creation in 2022.

He wanted it to go to a mental health charity to harness the therapeutic power of gardening.

Mind, in Furness asked for the garden to transform wasteland in School Street, Barrow.

Mr Sturgeon, a nine-times Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner, said: "Seeing the garden recreated in a place where it will get used by so many people is incredibly rewarding."

The garden was described by judges as having "benches carved from wind blown oak providing places for contemplation and conversation".

Sarah Hughes, chief executive of Mind, said: "We know that nature can do wonders for our mental health, creating idyllic moments to relieve stress and anxiety, or inspiring those all important conversations about our mental wellbeing."

Users of the mental health charity Mind will help maintain the garden