Refugees help create community herb garden

A community herb garden designed and built by refugees, and people seeking asylum, has opened.

The project was launched during Refugee Week and aimed to bring people together through nature, conversation and shared activities in Barnstaple.

Participants helped design and build the garden, which included planting herbs like chamomile, lemon balm and rosemary, which are intended to be used to make tea.

The garden was created through Project Unitea, a partnership between Devon Wildlife Trust, Pickwell Foundation and Barnstaple Town Council, with funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Nicola Jenner, communications and events manager for Pickwell Foundation, said: "Project Unitea demonstrates the powerful role that nature can play in bringing people together.

"Through simple, shared activities such as planting, harvesting and making tea, participants can build relationships, practice language skills and support their wellbeing."

One participant, who has lived experience of resettlement, said: "It was a unique and enjoyable project, even though it was short and small, it was incredibly fun, especially for growing herbs."

Katie Wilkinson of Devon Wildlife Trust said there were plans for future events in the space.

"We want the tea garden to act as a catalyst to bring people together over a freshly foraged cup of tea," she added.

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