About us
Isobel (red and white jumper) with some of our lovely volunteers
Making Life Beautiful, a Community Interest Company, was established in Nov 2016 initially with 3 directors. Founded by Isobel Barnes, a retired social worker of more than 40 years, Isobel has had nurseries for more than 30 years all with the aim of helping those most in need.
A working nursery, selling all manner of plants including perennials, annuals, shrubs, herbs, bedding, bulbs and more, Making Life Beautiful is a place where vulnerable individuals by virtue of isolation, bereavement or physical or mental health issues are joined by members of the community at large.
Together, friendships are made and support networks established whilst practising and increasing horticultural skills and knowledge.
Volunteers help grow and sell the plants and shrubs which we sell at local markets and events. All cash generated is put back into the Project and surplus monies are used to give part time short term contracts to individuals who for various reasons are struggling to find/keep employment. This enables them to gain experience and confidence and are able to produce an excellent reference when they leave us. Some volunteers have moved to trading as self employed people establishing projects of their own.
We have been able to offer a total of 4 work experience placements referred by local job centres. 2 local charitable organisations plus the NHDC and 2 large wholesale commercial nurseries made generous donations of a vehicle, growing stock and cash. With this generosity, we have now generated a good working capital together with an increasing stock of plants and horticultural equipment.