At YMCA Leicestershire, we believe that everyone deserves a space to grow – both personally and literally. That’s why we set about transforming our overgrown, unused garden into a vibrant sanctuary where young people can connect with nature, build new skills, and find a sense of community.
This green space will become more than just a garden – it will be a place of learning, creativity, and well-being. From growing food to hands-on crafting, our residents will co-create and care for an environment that benefits both people and wildlife for years to come.
Why It Matters
Our supported housing provides a home for 109 young people (aged 16-25) who have faced homelessness, family breakdowns, or financial hardship. Many struggle with mental health challenges – 36% of our residents – and nearly half are not in education or employment.
Research shows that time spent in nature boosts mental, physical, and social well-being, helping to rebuild confidence and resilience. However, without a dedicated outdoor space, many of our residents feel isolated and disconnected from the world around them.
Our Vision: A Garden for Growth
We’re breathing new life into our Aylestone site by turning an unused green space into a welcoming, multi-purpose garden.
🌿 A place for peace – Thoughtfully designed to soothe the senses, offering a quiet retreat for reflection and support.
🌼 A space for creativity – Interactive areas where young people can learn new skills, get hands-on with nature, and spark their imagination.
🌱 A thriving ecosystem – A co-created space that nurtures both personal growth and biodiversity.
Below is our journey of how we’re spending the money raised, the up’s, the down’s, the communities we’re engaging with and the people we meet along the way — helping our young residents feel connected, empowered, and ready to take on the future.
This is where it all kind of started. Before Christmas 2024, we ran a campaign wanting to raise £25,000 to turn some derelict waste ground at the side of our YMCA Leicestershire site in Aylestone into a garden where our residents and the local primary school could learn about plants and nature as well being a restful and mindful space to grow their resilience.
As the campaign began we then got a call from Leicestershire’s Botanical Gardens Director and Presenter of BBC Gardeners World, Nick Bailey as to how he could be involved. This is the video of what he thinks we can and should do…
One of the things that has really struck us over the last year, are the questions relating to how charities spend money that is raised for certain projects. So with that in mind, two months ago you lovely, gorgeous people helped us raise £25k through The Big Give for a regeneration of a garden at one of our sites.
Well rather than wait until the last plant is potted, or the last penny spent, we’ve begun this project less than 60 days after we got the go-ahead. 🎥 So get used to behind-the-scenes footage of us very responsibly spending your generous donations. No fancy filters, no CGI – just real people making a real difference (with varying levels of coordination).
Day 3 of the Roots To Resilience journey, and progress is truly taking root! We’ve been busy clearing the way for an even stronger community, one step at a time.
Every little bit counts, and we’re so proud to see everyone working together for a brighter, more resilient future. It’s not just about the physical space we’re clearing – it’s about creating a place where people can come together, feel supported, and grow. Big things are on the horizon, and this is just the beginning! Stay tuned, and let’s keep the momentum going. Here’s to building something amazing! 🙌
