Debbie Austin

Fellow’s Profile

Debbie Austin

Fellow’s Profile

Debbie Austin

Gardens for wellbeing from a wheelchair-user's perspective

Fellowship

Themes

Focus

Improving the therapeutic benefits of community gardens for wheelchair users by increasing accessibility

Countries

Fellowship year

2017

Supported by

Locality

South West

Biography

I'm a gardening enthusiast from Cornwall with a particular interest in making my passion accessible to all. My interest in this area stemmed from the benefits (physical, emotional and social wellbeing) I experienced from gardening, but also the barriers I faced as a wheelchair user (I have progressive multiple sclerosis).

My Fellowship focused on gardens for wellbeing in Japan and Singapore. My initial aim was to establish an accessible community-based gardening project in my locality. Whilst I continue to be involved in the voluntary gardening sector, my current work centres on running a preschool gardening group. This came about due to the isolation many parents and carers have experienced during lockdown.

Following my Fellowship I have continued to support a local gardening group, for which I have received a Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS). I've been petitioning to improve access to open spaces across my locality and developments are in progress. It's been a long time coming but a suitable location for my community-based gardening work has been offered. I'm excited for the future possibilities.

Disclaimer

All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.

Disclaimer

All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.

Contact this fellow

Fellow contact

Related

Newsletter Sign Up