A GROUP of Bridgwater students are running a Christmas stall in the town's Angel Place shopping centre in aid of a mental health gardening project.

As part of a college assignment, the group had to plan a way to promote the Seed of Hope scheme, a not-for-profit, social and therapeutic gardening project for people with mental health problems, run at The Walled Gardens of Cannington.

Products including oak coasters and placemats, small Christmas trees, seed packs, mistletoe and candles will be sold to raise money for the project.

One of the organisers and Bridgwater College student Shane Gill said: “We have worked hard to plan an event which will raise awareness and money for the project. We hope people will visit our stall, do some Christmas shopping, and donate to this worthwhile cause.”

The project was launched last summer as a joint venture between the college and Care Consultants Ltd

Kris Scotting from Care Consultants explained: "I have worked with people experiencing mental distress for thirty years. Over this time, I have seen gardening improve the lives of many people.

"Those who work in this sort of project are more hopeful than those who don't and we know that hope is one of the key elements of mental health recovery. People also spend less time isolated and inactive and this leads to greater engagement in community life and better well-being."

Jayne Alcock, grounds and gardens supervisor at the walled gardens added: "I provided support and advice to people experiencing emotional distress for a number of years before retraining to become a horticulturist. I have personally felt the benefits that gardening can bring in terms of quality of life."

The stall will be in the Angel Place centre on Thursday, December 10 between 1.30pm and 4pm.

To find out more or to sign up to Seed of Hope visit www.seedofhope.org.uk, call 0800 0016694, or email kris@seedofhope.org.uk.