An award‑winning community garden in Widnes has expanded its work supporting wellbeing, thanks to funding for a shared project with the neighbouring Men’s Shed group. 

The Wonky Garden, based at Ditton Community Centre, received part funding from Halton Housing to enhance an outdoor space alongside the developing Men’s Shed facility. 

The groundwork for the space was generously donated by Project Giving Back Together, alongside thousands of plants repurposed from their RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden, helping to bring the area to life. Halton Housing’s funding specifically supported the installation of new benches, creating a welcoming area where people can meet, relax and take part in activities. 

The space now supports both Wonky Garden volunteers and members of the Men’s Shed, which works with men experiencing loneliness, isolation, and mental or physical health challenges. The Men’s Shed group has been developing workshop spaces using converted containers, while the Wonky Garden team improved the surrounding outdoor area. 

Together, the two groups have created a supportive space where people come together through gardening, carpentry and shared projects. Angela Hayler, Chair of The Wonky Garden, said: 

“The Wonky Garden has always been about bringing people together and supporting each other through nature and creativity. This space helps us work closely with the Men’s Shed to make people feel welcome and part of something.” 

The project has transformed a previously underused area into a new social and therapeutic space, strengthening links across the local community and creating more opportunities for people to connect and improve their wellbeing.

Supporting projects like this is part of our Thriving Communities theme, one of five key priorities in our corporate plan, Our Future Focus: 2025–28, and central to our purpose of Improving People’s Lives. Through initiatives such as The Wonky Garden and the Men’s Shed, we’re helping to create inclusive spaces where people can connect, feel supported and improve their wellbeing - showing the real impact community-led projects can have.

If you or someone you know is running a community project that could benefit from our Helping Hands support - whether it’s a youth club, community garden or wellbeing initiative - we’d love to hear from you. Visit our Helping Hands webpage to learn more.