Meet The Reader’s volunteer gardeners

Three of our amazing volunteers reveal why they joined and what they enjoy about the group, including Paula Ross who became a member following major surgery after a devastating crash. 

Pictured: Carole and Paula at a plant sale

Carol Morrow, Paula Ross and Christine Lowe were strangers when they first joined The Reader’s volunteer gardening group in Liverpool’s Calderstones Park. 

Eighteen months later they are firm friends, go on theatre trips, meet for lunch and visit Open Gardens.  

Two weekly gardening groups were created in April 2023 by Jane Davis MBE, the now retired founder of The Reader – the UK’s biggest Shared Reading organisation – to embark on a series of green-fingered horticultural projects to spruce up the gardens and outdoor spaces at the Grade II listed Georgian Mansion House, the charity’s home. 

The garden revamp has been hugely successful in transforming the Theatre Garden and grounds surrounding the historic property. This dedicated self-funding group has also raised hundreds of pounds to reinvest into future green projects through plant sales, grants and Shared Reading masterclasses led by Jane. 

Former marketeer Christine from Mossley Hill, said “All three of us are completely different people but we all just get on.  

“I saw an ad on Facebook looking for volunteer gardeners at The Reader and although I did a little, thought it might be a good way to learn new things and be part of a group of people.  

“It has become a big part of my week. You just feel so proud of all the things that have been transformed. It’s very much been a joint effort between the two groups.” 

Pictured: Group leader and Founder of The Reader, Jane Davis with Christine

Paula, also from Mossley Hill, joined the group following major surgery on her arm after a devastating car crash involving a bus.  

She said: “I used to have a gardening business, and have a little garden of my own, but was missing the bigger picture of gardening. 

“I was recovering from my accident, was out-of-action for three months and thought the group would help with the physiotherapy side of things. Every week I run out of the door to get here!  

“Gardening makes you feel so much better – even in winter. We are here every week by hell or highwater through all seasons. Someone always brings in homemade cake and Jane brings homemade soup every week. 

“The building of the pergola and the new raised beds has been one of my favourite projects this year. We are also building a big polytunnel to build on our plant propagation.” 

Carol, who previously worked at Boots The Chemist for 28 years, and then as an optician's assistant, lives in Allerton, near to Calderstones Park. 

She said: “I had not long been retired and was looking for something to do. My husband spoke to someone at The Reader in the park and found out a new gardening group was being set up. 

“I didn’t know a lot about gardening before I joined but you learn as you go along. 

“It’s lovely to see the work you do transforming the gardens. We get a lot of people walking by when we are reworking at the front of The Mansion House. People are always saying, ‘thanks for doing it’ to us. One man even buys us all a cup of tea! 

“It’s a bit of a therapy group. We do not ask too many questions but if people want to talk we just listen or if they want to get on with the work quietly that’s fine too. It’s very non-judgmental. “ 

The group has also enjoyed trips to an Open Garden at Norley Bank Farm in Frodsham, Cheshire, where they helped on a gardening project. Jane also invited them to her home for a special thank you’ lunch and to see her own garden. 

Jane said: “I am very grateful to all of them.” 

Drop-in volunteer Gardening groups are held in The Mansion House Garden every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the year between 10am and 3pm. Everyone is welcome to join and no previous gardening knowledge is needed.  

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer at The Reader can find out more here, chat to the gardening group volunteers on-site or enquire at The Mansion House Welcome Area reception desk.