Mayfield Nurseries - blooming expansion

Richard Pullen of Pullen Associates has worked with the Southampton based charity Mayfield Nurseries in the expansion of their specialist horticultural nurseries.  Mayfield Nurseries, a subsidiary of the mental health charity Solent Mind, provides work, training and support for people with severe and enduring mental health problems.  

Mayfield Nurseries recently won a grant from the Social Enterprise Investment Fund.  This allowed Mayfield Nurseries to enlarge the size of the nurseries; construct new poly-tunnels; install a new irrigation system and new boiler; as well as increase the area for plant sales.  All-in-all these improvements will enable Mayfield Nurseries to help and support more local people with mental health problems.

As a Trustee of the charity, Richard was instrumental in negotiating an extension of a new lease from Southampton City Council to include extra land for the nursery's use; assist in obtaining the relevant planning permissions and co-ordinated the building works at the nursery on behalf of Mayfield Nurseries and Solent Mind.

Mayfield Nurseries provides a unique approach to people living in the Southampton area who are experiencing mental health problems.  Working at the nurseries helps to build self-esteem and provides opportunities to gain horticultural training including National Vocational Qualifications.  Mayfield Nurseries is situated in an old walled garden in Mayfield Park, Weston, Southampton and all proceeds from plant sales helps to support their work (see www.mayfieldnurseries.org.uk).