The Butterfly Garden in Cheltenham has been chosen as winner of this year’s Gardening Against The Odds awards, the fourth to be organised by The Conservation Foundation, in association with The Sunday Telegraph.
Set up in 2002 by Chris Evans, the Butterfly Garden offers a safe haven for those 'looking to escape the world and those looking to re-enter it'.
Up to 30 students a day benefit from gardening therapy and other activities. Chris owns Dundry Nurseries in Cheltenham where the charity is located.
A prison and a part of London with a troubled past receive the runner-up award.
HMP Parc in Bridgend, Wales has a wildflower meadow and extensive fruit and vegetable beds within its walls. Inmates tend these, gaining new skills and qualifications, which offer job opportunities after release.
An impressive vegetable garden set up in North London’s Broadwater Farm Estate and run by Martin Burrows and Robbie Samuda for the Back2Earth project welcomes local residents to make productive use of their environment. Workshops teach gardening skills and a vibrant community spirit prevails.
"The judges have been both impressed and moved by the stories of this year's Gardening Against the Odds winners and runners up," said Anne Cuthbertson, editor of Sunday Telegraph Life.
"The Butterfly Garden run by Chris Evans exemplifies a generous spirit and enterprise that gives hope and encouragement to the vulnerable and disabled.
"I hope Butterfly gardens spread their wings to other parts of the country."
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