The Water Lily Project in Christchurch, a charity which supports women in crisis, has launched a new craft and gardening initiative.

‘Crafty Diggers’ meets once a week and combines the joy of painting, making and growing all in one very active session.  The idea was chosen by the beneficiaries themselves who came up with the name for the sessions.

Crafty Diggers is made possible thanks to funding by People’s Health Trust, using money raised by Health Lottery SouthWest.

According to the People’s Health Trust, girls and women face disadvantage in almost all the areas known to affect health. Women spend a quarter of their lives in ill health or disability, compared to a fifth for men. Over a quarter of young women in the UK experience a common mental disorder, such as anxiety or depression, compared to 9.1 per cent of young men. Women also face inequalities in jobs and income through the gender pay gap, as well as in other areas including social connections, housing and education. Across England, as a whole, average rents take 43 per cent of women’s earnings and 28 per cent of men’s.

The grant was awarded to the charity, which supports women across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, as part of an Active Communities scheme. This supports people to create and shape local projects that will help their community to become even better.

Water Lily Project lead support worker Megan Holdcroft said: “Many of our beneficiaries live alone and have no outdoor space. They may be struggling with mental health issues, bereavement or have escaped domestic abuse. Crafty Diggers is a chance for them to meet other women and enjoy some creative time. The idea is also this is a group whereby through the activities of craft and gardening, the women are encouraged to self-manage and be encouraged to develop skills of leadership, accountability, and community.”

One beneficiary, whose identity must be protected, said: “I live alone in a new area. I felt so lonely for over a year until I was introduced to the Water Lily Project. Coming to Crafty Diggers is the highlight of my week, I feel welcome, accepted, and appreciated by all in the group.”

As well as drawing, making and painting, the group is transforming a small back yard at the Water Lily Project into a garden. Potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers grown here are already being used in the charity’s community café with all profits going towards Water Lily Project.

The Water Lily Project receives no government funding so this vital grant from the People’s Health Trust will allow more gardening activities to take place, better equipment to be purchased and more produce to be provided for the café.

Café manager Emma Whitney said: “Our beneficiaries are finding it so rewarding to see vegetables they have lovingly tended end up in our Daily Specials menu. The fresh produce has become a real talking point and our café customers love it. We also run cooking lessons for the women we support so they can experience the joy of growing and cooking their own.”

Megan Holdcroft added: “When you’re sitting beside someone painting a pot or outside planting up some flowers, it’s much more relaxed than sitting across a desk in a formal support session. Crafty Diggers allows the women we support to express themselves creatively and enjoy the health benefits of this and gardening. It also helps them to open up to us about the challenges they’re facing.”