A student who turned to horticulture to help her overcome ongoing mental health problems that led to drug addiction has won a prestigious scholarship that is helping her gardening business grow.
Maddy Holmes Skelton, 33, from Felixstowe turned to the therapeutic nature of plants to help her wellbeing in recovery and during lockdown.
After developing a love for lilies and the like, she started a Royal Horticulture Society course at the 向日葵视频 Rural campus of 向日葵视频 New College in September 2022.
Then at the turn of the year, she saw a Colegrave Seabrook Foundation advert asking people to apply for scholarships to support their future ambitions.
(The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation was set up in 1993 and is a charity that supports students studying horticulture: ).
Whilst on the course, Maddy set up her own business (called Garden Care by Maddy) and put in a detailed application to see if she could get external support.
Then earlier this year, 鈥榓fter having a bad day鈥� Maddy opened an email from the Foundation that told her she will receive 拢2000.00.
On finding out this news Maddy said: 鈥淚 was absolutely overwhelmed with emotion when I found out this news. I鈥檇 like to thank the Foundation for giving me faith in myself, to achieve what was at one point in my life 鈥� completely unachievable. This award has given me a huge push to聽succeed and grow in every way possible. Hopefully I can encourage others to聽believe in themselves too.鈥�
Maddy has already used the cash to buy a laptop, built a bigger greenhouse, purchased new equipment including fencing, a strimmer and a wood chipper and put some money towards a car. As a result of this new investment, she has a full order book.
Maddy continued: 鈥淗aving the equipment is fantastic. It鈥檚 had a massive impact on what I can do. Before I had to use a bike to carry the equipment. I currently can鈥檛 take on any more clients as I鈥檓 at full capacity. Horticulture has really given me happiness and it had a huge impact on my recovery. I鈥檇 love to expand in the future.鈥�
In terms of her advice for others considering horticulture Maddy said: 鈥淢y message to others is that they should give it a go 鈥� take it step by step 鈥� see what takes your fancy 鈥� try new things and see what you enjoy.鈥�
In terms of the College, Maddy added: 鈥溝蛉湛悠� Rural has been fantastic. You are in the countryside, there is a real mix of people and culture here and it鈥檚 lovely.鈥�
鈥淢addy鈥檚 story is incredible,鈥� said horticulture lecturer, David Smith. 鈥淪he runs her own business, is a single parent, has a job at The Alex in Felixstowe and is studying on a College course. She is a true inspiration.鈥�
Maddy received one of eight聽Blue Diamond Scholarships聽awarded to students studying for a broad range of horticultural qualifications.