A GARDEN from a prestigious flower show is set to be rehomed in Barrow.

One of this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show gardens, designed to create a space of calm and encourage important conversations about mental health, will find a new home in the town following the event, which takes place between May 24 and 28.

The Mind Garden, designed by award-winning garden designer Andy Sturgeon in partnership with charity Mind, will be transported from the Chelsea Flower Show all the way up the M6 to Mind in Furness with the help of homeware retailer Dunelm, who has worked with Mind since 2021 to raise awareness and reduce the stigma often associated with mental health.

This will involve transporting 10 fully grown silver birch trees, a series of sculptural walls, oak curved benches, along with the other plantings from the garden.

Dunelm colleagues from the Barrow branch will help install and maintain the garden throughout its transition.

Work to rehome The Mind Garden is set to begin in June, with the unveiling of the finished garden expected in autumn. 

Mr Sturgeon, an eight-time RHS Chelsea gold medal winner, personally chose to work with Mind this year because of the important role gardens have played as a refuge during difficult periods in his own life.

He hopes the re-homed garden will provide a similar source of comfort and connection for the local community in Barrow.

Karen Dobson, chief executive of Mind in Furness, said: “Mind in Furness has been involved in delivering a range of ecotherapy activities for many years and has been looking to create a Wellbeing Garden for some time.

“We’re delighted our application for the garden was accepted and look forward to providing a place where we can offer support to those experiencing poor mental wellbeing in our local community. We’re grateful to Mind, Dunelm, Project Giving Back and Barrow Borough Council for their support.” 

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said: “It’s a huge honour to host a garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

“We know that spending time in nature, and gardening specifically, can bene-fit our wellbeing, so it was important to us that the Mind Garden created a lasting legacy. Thanks to Dunelm and Project Giving Back, we’re able to support more people to access the benefits of eco-therapy and connecting with others in nature.”

Nick Wilkinson, CEO of Dunelm, said: “We’re delighted that Dunelm have been able to support the transportation of the Mind Garden from its original Chelsea home to a new community in Barrow in Furness to provide a dedicated space to help local people escape the pressures of everyday life and focus on their mental wellbeing.”