Barry’s Story – Growing possibility

Every week, Barry arrives at the Edward Kemp Community Garden with a smile, ready to see what has changed since the last visit. He is one of the most committed people involved in the project, and he is often the first to greet volunteers, staff and the people we support. For Barry, the garden is more than a place to grow vegetables. It is a place to grow confidence, connection and a sense of belonging.

From the beginning, Barry made it clear that he wanted to be involved as much as possible. He enjoys being outdoors, meeting new people and being part of a community project that has a real purpose. The only difficulty is that many gardening tasks are harder to complete from a wheelchair. Uneven ground, low beds and limited access meant that he could join in socially, but he could not always participate in the practical tasks he was most interested in.

Despite this, Barry never missed a week. He helped where he could, offered encouragement to others, and brought humour and warmth to every visit. Volunteers often say that the garden feels different when he is there. You can feel the sense of teamwork and shared purpose.

“His determination inspired the next step in the development of the garden.”

Using recycled wood donated by a colleague, people we support and staff worked together to build a wheelchair accessible raised bed. Barry was involved from the very beginning. He chose the location, offered ideas and watched proudly as the structure began to take shape. The first time he was able to reach into the bed comfortably, without barriers or limitations, was an important moment for everyone.

Now Barry is beginning to take a more active role in growing and caring for the plants. It is still early days, and there is still a lot of work to do to improve access throughout the whole plot, but this small change has opened up a new chapter for him. It shows what is possible when we remove barriers and work together with people rather than around them.

Barry often says that what he loves most is the feeling of being part of something. Being outdoors. Sharing a laugh. Learning something new. And knowing that this garden will keep growing, just like the opportunities within it.