Community garden in West Lockinge celebrates anniversary

This month, during World Parkinson’s Month, the charity Parkinsons.Me, which is marking its 10th anniversary this year, is celebrating the continued growth of its Community Garden at West Lockinge, near Wantage.

The garden has been created as a welcoming, accessible space where people living with Parkinson’s, their families, and the wider community, including Gardening on Prescription groups, can come together in a supportive outdoor environment.

Designed with accessibility at its core, the garden includes raised beds, easy-access pathways, and adaptable features that allow people of all abilities to take part.

More than a garden, it offers a place to connect, reduce isolation, and support both physical and mental wellbeing.

The initiative reflects a growing focus on the role of nature and community in supporting long-term health conditions.

Activities in the garden encourage gentle participation, social interaction, and a renewed sense of purpose.

As Parkinsons.Me celebrates its 10-year anniversary, the garden stands as an example of how local, community-led initiatives can make a difference to everyday life.

With national attention on inclusive garden design through this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the West Lockinge Community Garden highlights how these principles are already making an impact at a local level — offering a space that can be enjoyed all year round.

Community members are also invited to visit and get involved throughout April.

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that affects the brain and impacts movement, coordination, and a wide range of non-motor functions.

In the UK, around 153,000 people are currently living with Parkinson’s, and this number is expected to rise as the population ages.

While it is more common in people over the age of 60, younger people can also be diagnosed.

Symptoms vary from person to person but can include tremor, stiffness, slowness of movement, fatigue, and mental health challenges.

As a long-term condition with no cure, Parkinson’s affects not only those diagnosed but also their families and carers, making community support and accessible wellbeing initiatives increasingly important.

Parkinsons.Me is a local, community-focused charity dedicated to supporting people living with Parkinson’s and their families.

Through practical initiatives, social opportunities, and wellbeing-focused programmes such as the West Lockinge Community Garden, the charity helps individuals stay active, connected, and supported in their everyday lives.

Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Parkinsons.Me continues to develop inclusive, person-centred projects that make a meaningful difference across Oxfordshire.