VISITORS to the TWIGS Spring Fair were queuing out of the gate on Sunday as the bright sunshine attracted big crowds.

The charity’s annual open day is always a popular affair with plant enthusiasts, flower afficionados, nature lovers and plain old ordinary residents coming together to enjoy the much-loved community gardens.

Service manager Alan Holland said: “Every year we hold a spring open day to showcase all the hard work that people put in here during the year.

“In fundraising terms it also allows us to raise a significant amount of money to keep the place going.

“People come here to enjoy the community gardens which are at their spring-like best at the moment.

“They can buy wooden products from the workshop like back boxes and bird boxes as well as some great crafts made here too.

“It’s particularly popular with the ‘plantaholics’ - they get here early because they know it’s when they will get the best plants - they fly out the door.

“It’s such a valuable community resource and people like to come and enjoy it.”

There were teas, coffees, cakes and more on offer and visitors were kept entertained by musicians from Music Alive, a charity based in Highworth that uses instruments to help people with disabilities.

While the gardens at TWIGS are beautiful and worth admiring in their own right, it is the meaning behind them that makes them all the more treasured by those who come to visit.

Formed in 1997, the charity offers a place for people struggling with mental health difficulties to spend time in a supportive community, using gardening and craft making to aid their recovery.

People can be referred in a number of ways - either formally by a GP, mental health support worker or community navigator, or informally through a self referral.

The testimonies of those who have benefitted from their involvement with TWIGS speak volumes about the positive experience they offer.

One such person said: “I found the space and support I needed to believe that a different future was possible.”

Another said “TWIGS provided a lifeline when my life was filled with despair and hopelessness.”

A team of six staff are aided by 30 volunteers to support 90 people recovering from battles with mental health.

Service manager Alan has been with the charity for 18 years, for him the reward comes from seeing the transformational journey that spending time in the gardens and workshops can bring.

“It is about developing that self-esteem and self-confidence in people,” said Alan.

“You see people who come here for the first time, walk around and say I could never make that.

“But then soon enough they find they can and the next new people to arrive are admiring the things they have made.”

It’s not just at the Spring Fair that the public can enjoy the efforts of all at TWIGS.

The gardens are open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (except Bank Holidays) from 10.30am to 3.30pm.