USERS of a mental health clinic in Ledbury want to transform a “depressing”

front garden.

They want the garden to match the excellent care they receive at the Rose Cottage Clinic, in Belle Orchard, and they believe community action could be the way forward.

Award-winning artist, Andrea McLean said: “I’ve made complaints and offers to help along with others.

“Until a couple of days ago the thistles, grass and weeds were growing very high there.

“Now at last the maintenance gardeners have been in cutting everything back and clearing the weeds to leave a bare gravel front garden which looks like a barren wasteland and I’m wondering if Ipreferredthe weeds.

“Either way it could be a more welcoming place for mental health service users.

“I’ve lived nearby for five years and have attended Rose Cottage many times as a patient there. As it is called Rose Garden, it could do with a few roses that smell nice.

It shows people care.

“As it is, the garden could depress people with mental health conditions.

They are very sensitive; but we are just ordinary people, and everyone likes to see a few flowers.”

Her idea is that the community and volunteers could take on the garden as a project, if they are allowed to do that.

Miss McLean, said the care she has received at the clinic has been “amazing”, and she has no complaints about that.

She is one of the most successful artists in the three counties, with a growing international reputation. Miss McLean is a former artist in residence at Gloucester Cathedral and her “Turning World” painting, inspired by Herefordshire Cathedral’s Mappa Mundi, is in the British Library, close to the entrance to the Map Room.

A spokesman for the 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the clinic said: “We always welcome feedback and suggestions from service users.

“We know our buildings and the gardens are very important for both service users and staff, so any offers to improve the environment are welcomed.

“We have recently taken up a similar offer of volunteering at another of our premises – Oak House, in Hereford.

“A senior manager is planning to meet Miss Mclean as soon as possible to discuss her offer and take things forward.”