Scottish charity teams up with London-based fragrance brand to create new garden

A Scottish charity hopes a partnership with fancy fragrance retailer Jo Malone of London will help boost mental wellbeing in Scotland.

The retailer that sells soaps, perfumes and candles has worked with the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) on a new herb garden and restored the roundhouse at its Redhall Walled Garden in Edinburgh.

SAMH uses the garden for holistic therapy and offers training to those experiencing mental health problems in horticulture, conservation and life skills.

Jo Malone London funded the work through the sales of a limited edition candle, which has already supported a similar project in London and is due to work with another in Liverpool.

Billy Watson, chief executive of SAMH said: “Creating the herb garden and developing the roundhouse has been a great opportunity for trainees to be involved in a project from the research, design and planning, right through to the building and planting to the finished garden.

“Our horticultural based services at Redhall and across the country use the outdoor environment to build resilience whilst helping people to mental wellbeing.

“The combination of being and working outdoors in a supportive environment with access to the tools to aid recovery can have a profound impact on individuals, providing structure in their lives, a sense of achievement and ultimately a positive recovery.”