The ARC has transformed their car park into a blooming garden of hope and connection, thanks to hard work of dedicated volunteers.
The outdoor space is now a ‘buzzing’ oasis for service users to relax, complete with a large seating area, plenty of planters and even several beehives.
The makeover has been headed up by gardener Terry, who has been working hard over the past two years to update the space using his savvy DIY skills and love of reusing recycled items.
Talking about the transformation, Terry explained: “This time two years ago, there was nothing at all here. It was just an empty car park. Now, it’s a space for everyone to enjoy – we even hold events for more than 150 people at a time here.”
One of the most impressive parts of the transformation is how little has been spent on changing the space from an uninspired car park to a thriving community garden. Instead of relying on funding, Terry has worked hard to upcycle materials – including a prison trolley that’s now a planter – to spruce up the space.
Opening up about the positive impact the garden has had on service users, Terry said: “I love seeing people together and chatting”. Terry himself was a service user at The ARC, beginning his recovery journey over three years ago.
Working alongside Terry is Anthony, a recovery peer at The ARC. Just like Terry, Anthony came to The ARC during his own recovery. He now enjoys spending his days working on the garden and putting his frugal DIY skills to the test.
Explaining the deeper purpose of the garden, Anthony said: “We’re here 5-6 days a week, it’s very therapeutic. We’ve even started running ‘Wellbeing Sundays,’ where people can come along and learn new skills like gardening and crafts.”
Together, Terry and Anthony create ornaments and fun oddities out of recycled materials, including wind chimes and garden decorations. The duo hope to raise funds by selling their unique creations at events held at The ARC.
Terry’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed either. Heath Dean, a support worker at The ARC says: “Terry’s amazing. He’s really transformed the service”.
As well as providing a place for people to sit and relax, the garden even has three beehives – which help raise funds for the service. Last year, the bees produced 128 jars of honey, raising over £700 that went straight back into funding the centre.
When the first swarm originally arrived at The ARC, they were split into several groups – two went over to HMP Manchester, one to a local school and one stayed at The ARC. Although the school and prison swarms are still thriving, The ARC’s sadly didn’t survive the winter. However, plans are already underway to welcome new bees this summer to ensure the area is buzzing with activity once more.
The Abstinence Recover Centre is located across from HMP Manchester. The centre is complete with a community kitchen, café, and group rooms, providing a welcoming and relaxed space for service users to seek peer support after leaving prison.
As Support Worker Heath explained: “It’s more than a recovery centre – it’s a hub of support and belonging”. And thanks to Terry and Anthony’s creativity and hard work, its garden is now a testament to the power of growth, second chances, and teamwork.
