Welcome to Sudley Walled Garden – A Supportive Space for Care Leavers to Thrive
At Sudley Walled Garden, we are committed to offering free, nature-based activities and volunteering opportunities that support your wellbeing. As a not-for-profit community organisation based at Sudley Estate (a beautiful small park in South Liverpool), we believe in the healing power of nature and community connection. Caring for the environment, and for people, are our two main values, and we work with people of all ages and abilities. Our activities are designed to promote mental health, personal development and skill-building, providing care leavers with a space to grow and thrive.
As John Muir once said, “When we tug at a single thing in nature, we find it attached to the rest of the world.” This quote truly reflects our mission at Sudley Walled Garden – a place where every act of connection with nature helps build stronger bonds with our community, and our planet. Whether you’re looking to volunteer, improve your mental health, or gain work experience, Sudley Walled Garden offers a supportive and welcoming environment where care leavers can engage in meaningful activities that promote overall wellness and community involvement.
What We Offer:
Volunteering Opportunities: Join us every Wednesday from 2-4pm to take part in gardening, land work, and environmental care in the beautiful walled garden. This is an opportunity to learn new skills, gain practical experience, and connect with others. No need to book – simply drop in and join us.
If you are interested in more in-depth volunteering, there are various options and can talk to you about ways this might best work for you.
Gardening and Therapeutic Horticulture: We offer projects and services learning about gardening, growing and organic regenerative land-based practices. We aim most of our project work at groups who need a little more support to access gardening, such as those with additional needs, disabilities, long term health conditions and adverse experiences. Gardening has a wide range of therapeutic effects, grounding us to the earth and even producing serotonin boosting chemicals from the soil, as well as delicious and beautiful crops to take home.
Forest School and Nature Play: Enjoy nature therapy and outdoor play and activities that encourage relaxation and reconnection with the natural world, supporting emotional wellbeing.
Outdoor Mind-Body Practices: Participate in Tai Chi, Yoga, Qigong and other outdoor activities designed to promote mental wellness and reduce stress.
Tea and Talk About Herbs & Health: Take part in informal discussions about the healing properties of herbs, guided by medical herbalists. This is a chance to relax and learn about natural wellness practices.
Community Herbalism: We offer lots of different ways to learn about the traditions of plant medicine for health and wellbeing. On seasonal Herb Walks we explore Sudley Estate and discover the therapeutic benefits of plants in nature. These walks are designed to reconnect you with the outdoors and support physical and mental health. We also run workshops, talks and activities about herbalism and other natural wellness practices, working with experienced Medical Herbalists. See our website or get in touch for the latest opportunities.
Community Events & Activities: From campfire singing to gardening workshops, and much else, we host various community events aimed at promoting wellbeing and building connections.
Therapeutic Garden Design: The garden is carefully designed with zones dedicated to different activities, from woodland areas for reflection to garden beds for growing medicinal plants and herbs. It’s a safe, accessible space where everyone can come to connect, relax, and experience the healing power of nature. If you’re not interested in volunteering or gardening, you can come along on Wednesday afternoons just to chill out, enjoy the space, bring a picnic.
The Changing Rooms: We have developed a Therapy and Wellbeing Centre next to the garden, which opened in 2025. An eco building, this space hosts a wide range of therapists offering physical and talking therapies. We would be interested to partner with other Care Leavers Covenant signatories to offer services for Care Leavers at the centre, or to support Care Leavers on the path to becoming therapists themselves.
We have lots of free offers, regularly updated, so join our mailing list or keep an eye on our website and socials to hear about what’s on. Come and enjoy this relaxing hidden gem of a garden with us, you are very welcome.
Cost: Free unless otherwise stated (we would like to support Care Leavers, so if cost is a barrier for any paid services, please get in touch)
Method: Drop-in (subject to weather conditions)
What to Bring: Depends which session, but always weather appropriate comfortable clothes that can get dirty, good footwear and woolly/sun hat depending on the season.
Location: Growing Sudley CIC / The Walled Garden and Changing Rooms, Sudley Estate, L18 8BX (top entrance) or L17 6BZ (our actual location on google maps). We are NOT in Sudley House. You can get more information on transport and how to find us by getting in touch before you come.
Why Join Us?
Sudley Walled Garden provides a unique opportunity for you to engage with nature, develop new skills, and improve mental and physical health in a supportive, community-driven environment. Whether you are looking to gain practical experience through volunteering or need a space to focus on your mental wellbeing, we offer a range of activities that are designed to nurture growth, build confidence, and promote self-care.
Our ethos is rooted in protecting and nurturing nature, which is why we employ sustainable practices in everything we do. Our focus on permaculture, organic gardening, and chemical-free practices ensures that the space remains a peaceful retreat for everyone. By joining our activities, you’ll become part of a community that values personal growth, shared learning, and mutual support. This is an opportunity for care leavers to connect with others, take part in meaningful projects, and improve their wellbeing in a peaceful and healing setting.
We also offer volunteering opportunities in our therapeutic garden, designed to help improve your mental health and build practical skills. With the support of local people, we’ve transformed the walled garden into a vibrant, healing space. Whether you’re interested in hands-on gardening, therapeutic practices, or simply connecting with nature, there’s a place for you here.
We value differences, so if you have any additional needs, neurodivergence or anything else you need to support you in your experience with us, please feel comfortable to let us know and we’ll do everything we can to make things accessible for you.
