Work is underway to transform a patch of wasteland in Barrow into a 'wellbeing garden' for a mental health charity.

Mind, the national mental health charity chose the Furness branch to be the proud recipients of the 'Mind Garden', recently exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show as part of Project Giving Back, which gave 14 charities, including Mind, the chance to exhibit a garden at the national event.

The entire garden was shipped to Barrow over 3 days following the Chelsea Flower Show, and Mind in Furness was quick to thank those who volunteered to ship the plants, given the tight timeframe.

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The charity posted on May 31: "Our first delivery of trees arrived at 6:30am. 

"Thanks very much to the incredible drivers from Wincanton PLC who volunteered to travel overnight from Chelsea."

Planting is currently underway following the digging and levelling of the patch of land, which Mind in Furness described its plans for in the Project Initiation Document:

"Mind in Furness' William Bingley Wellbeing Centre is based in the centre of Barrow in Furness in the deprived Hindpool Ward and bordering the equally deprived central ward, at 64 School Street, next to us, is a piece of wasteland owned by the council.

The Mail: WASTE: The piece of land was derelictWASTE: The piece of land was derelict

"The land has been wasteland now for many years and prior to that, housed a church destroyed by fire and previously empty and unused for anything other than storage for over 50 years."

"Mind in Furness wishes to 'acquire' the land and with the support of partners, funders and the local community transform it into a community garden with a focus on mental wellbeing, and area of green space in a deprived community, a space that encourages involvement, cohesion and offers all the well-publicised benefits of accessing outdoor space.

The Mind Garden, which was designed by Andy Sturgeon, is described by Mind:

"At its highest point, a circular seating area creates a sanctuary for conversation. 

"Set within curved clay-rendered walls, it’s a place to sit side-by-side and share experiences and advice, surrounded by meadow-like spaces and calming birch trees. 

"A gravel path then arcs down to a lower level, bringing people together before the garden opens out before them.

"In this way, the design reflects how it can feel to open up to others about your mental health.