Garden Therapy for Refugees in the county:

Amanda Webb-Johnson started up the Oxford Refugee Project (ORP) in October last year to give both asylum seekers and political refugees something constructive to fill their time with, as well as offering counselling while they work.

And apart from the bright, proud rows of flowers and vegetables, the allotment gives them a space where they can reflect on their past, come to terms with their losses, and face the future.

"Refugees have great resilience, resourcefulness and skills to contribute to our society. But some need support in the adjustment process, and with dealing with the persecution and atrocities they have experienced. This project is one form of support," Amanda explains.

The issue of refugees and asylum seekers is an emotive one and is hot on the political agenda. The cost of keeping them, looking after them, feeding them and even processing their applications for asylum, always makes headline news.

In Oxford, where there are an estimated 2,000 refugees and asylum seekers, racial tension has recently reached breaking point, largely between the Kosovan and Asian minorities.

But a handful have turned to the ORP for support from the new gardening scheme. They come from countries as far afield as Sri Lanka, Algeria and Rwanda and some have horrendous stories to tell.

Each is seeking political asylum and their requests are at various stages of the application process. But the wheels of the Home Office turn slowly and for many it could be years before they know their fate.

Life as a refugee is hard. Many complain they feel the local community views them as criminals or scroungers rather than genuine asylum seekers. And the Government has done little to help make them feel welcome.

Earlier in the year, the decision to issue food vouchers rather than give a cash allowance to refugees created a storm of controversy with claims that the scheme left them feeling humiliated and degraded. A trained counsellor and psychotherapist, Amanda, 38, arrived in Oxford three years ago, specifically to work with the growing population of refugees and asylum seekers. Using her expertise she researched their needs by consulting local charities, councils and voluntary groups.

And what she found was that many of the refugees were lost in a sea of hopelessness, despondent and feeling useless because they couldn't find any constructive way to seize control and improve their situation.

Amanda explains: "They want practical support, they want to be involved in something meaningful and to plan for their futures.

"The majority are well-educated because they are the ones who could afford to leave. I have met several doctors and teachers, but their qualifications don't count over here, even if they do speak the language. Many have not only suffered the multiple loss of family members but also a loss of status, in leaving their homes, land and profession."

Amanda knew she wanted to help them but felt that straight-forward therapy may not be the answer to their problems. She wanted to provide more practical and social support. And then she found out about an allotment in London being farmed by refugees, as part of a therapy programme.

It reflects a growing trend in horticultural therapy which is also encouraged by professionals to help people cope with mental health problems or learning difficulties.

"Certainly there is a link between the land and how people feel and that actually working on the land can help people feel that they are doing something creative. It can be very healing," Amanda explains.

At the time Amanda was not a keen gardener but she liked the idea of horticultural therapy and the ORP was born and soon based at an Oxford allotment. The exact location of the plot has been withheld for security reasons.

The land is leased to the organisation by Oxford City Council, which has also donated the use of a shed. The refugees, all referred by charities, social services and housing associations, are allocated a small section of the allotment on which they can grow whatever they want.

And not only does the scheme help ease the refugees emotionally but it also helps them on a financial level as they are able to keep the fruits of their labour.

Amanda says: "They mostly grow vegetables and flowers and this helps them on a practical level. The scheme wasn't set up to be commercially productive but it does help them on a financial level.

"More importantly though, it gives them a sense of achievement and a feeling that they are doing something."

Some refugees go along almost every day, others go along once or twice a week. Amanda works alongside them with a gardener, offering support and a counselling ear should they need it about once a week.

The project is obviously working, and as one refugee said to Amanda recently: "I feel better every day that I come here."

But she is keen to keep things fairly low-key as it won't suit everybody.

"This is just one method of support available," she stresses.

Amanda is currently applying for charitable status and is hoping to extend the services the ORSP offers, to include writing activities, skill assessment and links to training. One other bonus is that Amanda has emerged as a bit of a green-fingered enthusiast and now has her own blooming garden to show for her endeavours.

"I do now see the value of growing things," she admits.

If you would like to contribute funding or find out more about the project you can contact Amanda on 07957 238555.