If I can do it, anyone can!

Ceri Keating, client from Cyrenians Cymru
Ceri has been involved with Cyrenians Cymru, in Swansea, for the past three years. Here she shares her excitement at being involved in creating the Places of Change garden.

How was your life before you got involved with your current organisation?
I was homeless, sleeping rough, moving between B&B and other hostels. I had a drug and alcohol problem and this became much worse when I was homeless.

What activities have you been involved with during your stay?
Training in first aid, Naxolone training, cookery, guitar and compute lessons and gardening. I attend SANDS (Swansea Drug Project) and now live in my own flat with support from Cyrenians Cymru, I have been clean for over a year.

What is your personal involvement in the Chelsea Flower Show?
I attended The Eden Project and I am growing vegetables for The Chelsea Flower Show. The moment that stands out for me the most is being in the Rainforest at The Eden Project - it was amazing.

Who else are you working with to create the garden?
We are involved in a team. Roger is growing, Clare is cultivating, Hillary, Chris and Sam are making the wooden abstract spine for our part in the show.

What does being involved with the Chelsea Flower Show mean to you?  How has it changed your outlook and approach to life?  
Being involved in The Chelsea Flower Show, means that I have finally had the opportunity to do something meaningful for me and everyone involved. It has given me the opportunity to say thank you to the Cyrenians for all the help they have given me over the years. It has given me a focus on something positive and is making me feel very happy and included.

And what about your colleagues?
Everyone is very excited about the possibility of going to Chelsea and seeing the project through.

What are you doing now?  How has your involvement with Chelsea had any affect on this?
Feeling happier and positive about the future, it’s made me feel that there is a lot more out there for me.

What are your plans for the future?
Gaining an OCN in Gardening and other qualifications in gardening and in the future hopefully working in something to do with gardening.

Do you have any messages for people who might be thinking about getting involved in the Chelsea Flower Show in the future?
Yes- It’s well worth getting involved. You get a good satisfied feeling in achieving something. If I can do it anyone can! I hope that as a result of this I can achieve other things in the future.