Our Green Chances Better Together project was made possible by the award of funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and awarded by Postcode Places Trust.”
Green Chances was a year‑long, nature‑based wellbeing project created to support military veterans in Lincoln who were experiencing poor mental health, social isolation and the lasting effects of service‑related trauma. Delivered by Green Synergy at Hillside Community Garden, the project used social and therapeutic horticulture to help veterans reconnect with themselves, with others and with the natural world.
Running as regular two‑hour garden sessions, Green Chances offered a safe, calm and welcoming environment where ex‑Forces men and women could spend time outdoors, take part in hands‑on activities and build supportive relationships with people who shared similar lived experiences. Many participants were living with PTSD, anxiety, depression, physical injuries or long periods of isolation, and the garden quickly became a place of understanding, acceptance and belonging.
What the project involved
Sessions focused on meaningful, practical activities that encouraged teamwork, confidence and purpose, including:
- Gardening and growing food from seed
- Cooking, sharing food and making drinks together
- Building projects, including commemorative benches
- Caring for shared vegetable beds and garden spaces
- Informal conversation, peer support and social connection
Participants were encouraged to take on roles that suited their strengths — whether that was leading a task, supporting others, or simply enjoying being present in a shared space. Over time, the group developed a strong culture of kindness, generosity and mutual encouragement.
Impact and experience
Being outdoors had a profound impact on many veterans. The garden offered space to slow down, breathe and feel grounded, while shared activity helped rebuild confidence and trust. Several participants spoke about feeling valued, listened to and motivated in ways they hadn’t felt for a long time.
For some, attending Green Chances marked a significant step forward — including leaving the house after long periods of isolation, rediscovering passions such as gardening or cooking, and even taking those interests back into everyday life at home. The project also fostered a strong sense of collective purpose, particularly through collaborative builds and commemorative projects honouring veterans in Lincolnshire.
Legacy
Green Chances grew into more than a support group — it became a community. Friendships formed, confidence returned, and participants found renewed meaning through working together in nature. Although the project has now ended, it demonstrated the powerful role that outdoor, therapeutic spaces can play in supporting veterans’ mental health, resilience and wellbeing.
Green Chances leaves behind a legacy of connection, dignity and hope — and a reminder that healing can begin with fresh air, shared purpose and a place where people truly belong.
