RAF veteran Mark Eyres is spearheading a transformative allotment project in Leicester aimed at supporting veterans' mental health. The initiative, supported by Leicester City Council's Growing Spaces, seeks to provide veterans with a safe environment to rebuild their lives and foster a sense of community. Mark Eyres, who himself has faced mental health challenges since leaving the RAF in 1997, believes this project will offer a much-needed sanctuary for veterans.
The council has generously donated a site at the Boston Road Allotments in Beaumont Leys, where Eyres, aged 52, aims to rejuvenate the land and create a thriving community space. His vision is to use this project as a tool to help veterans move forward in their lives by offering them a chance to be part of a team once again. Eyres, who was admitted to the Bradgate Mental Health Unit in Leicester after his service, understands firsthand the struggles veterans face when transitioning back to civilian life.
"I had 25 years of… nowhere to turn, nowhere to go." – Mark Eyres
Eyres' journey from isolation to community building underscores the project's importance. He emphasizes the therapeutic value of gardening and teamwork.
"It's amazing to see something grow from nothing to something that you can eat… being able to do that, it just makes you feel better." – Mark Eyres
The project is more than just cultivating land; it's about cultivating well-being. By providing a structured yet relaxed environment, veterans can step out of their comfort zones into a nurturing space where they can connect with others who understand their experiences.
"This project will hopefully bring veterans out of their comfort zone to a safe area." – Mark Eyres
The allotment project aims to reinstate a sense of purpose and belonging among veterans, offering them opportunities to engage, talk, and grow together. Eyres has spent years building a supportive network around him and now hopes to extend this sense of camaraderie to others.
"Over the next couple of years, I built a really good team around me, and I learnt how to talk… what we'd like to do is get a fun, enjoyable project together where veterans can be part of a team and talk," – Mark Eyres
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