Staff from a York-based healthcare provider have been digging in to help volunteers at a plant nursery.

The team from Benenden recently gave their time to help nurture Poppleton Community Railway Nursery (PCRN) - Britain’s last surviving railway plant nursery.

Emmie Wise, CSR and community engagement co-ordinator at Benenden said: “Our green-fingered colleagues literally got hands on and stuck in, learnt new horticultural and DIY skills, and very importantly, had fun.

“Volunteering is proven to build self-esteem and confidence, improve social development and, like gardening, is therapeutic for adults recovering from mental health crises.”

By encouraging staff members to take part in charitable activities, Benenden honours its commitment to recognising mental health care as an issue which needs to be prioritised, more openly discussed and more widely understood.

Mrs Wise added: “The team had an amazing time helping out at the nursery.

“This is a really great project for the team to get involved with because talking openly about Mental Health is something we actively encourage at Benenden.

“We are currently undertaking a programme to train a number of our volunteer colleagues to be Mental Health First Aiders, so we are proud to partner with PCRN and be involved in the great work they do; we can’t wait to work with them again.”

For more information on York Cares visit www.yorkcares.co.uk