A NEW partnership between civic chiefs and a garden centre for people with mental health needs is set to transform outdoor spaces on council estates in Southampton.

Mayfield Nurseries, part of mental health charity Solent Mind, will be helping people learn the skills needed to create new community gardens.

City council bosses say those involved in the three-year project will reap the benefits of leading an active outdoor life and feeling part of a social group.

People living on the Maybush Estate in Millbrook have already spent years helping the council to improve community safety.

The scheme has resulted in more CCTV cameras, murals on security shutters and a new look for parking bollards.

Working with a young tenant and a professional artist, the council’s Decent Neighbourhoods Project (DNP), has also encouraged tenants to contribute to a mosaic called the Vine of Life.

The council has held a series of meetings at which they met tenants and obtained their views on the scheme.

The Halloween-themed sessions included a fancy dress competition for residents, plus pumpkin-carving and an opportunity for people to name the project.

Weston and Holyrood are among the areas set to benefit from the scheme.

Cllr Warwick Payne, cabinet member for housing, said: “This partnership between Mayfield Nurseries and the council is really exciting.

"Mayfield already does a fantastic job and being able to extend that work into our estates across the city to improve the environment for tenants and their wellbeing is very good news indeed.”

DNP manager Aidan Cooper added: “When you see how gardening can turn a person’s life around, as I have, the change is unbelievable.”

“Working with Mayfield Nurseries will allow many more people to live happier lives – I can’t think of anything better.”

Mayfield manager Rachel Hampton added: “Often we can live next door to our neighbours and not know who they are.

“By having a gardening project where everyone can join in, we can help people build confidence and create a friendly atmosphere where people can chat and get to know one another.

“You don’t have to be a Monty Don, we welcome everyone to get involved - it’s about coming and having a go.”