A Cumbrian based horticultural mental health charity has opened what it says is England’s first-of-its-kind native tree nursery.

Growing Well, which operates at the northbound M6 Tebay Services near Penrith, is expanding its enterprise to include native tree propagation, as part of its long-established, clinically-led mental health recovery programme.

Paul Cambre, Head of Horticulture at Growing Well, said: “We are excited to grow and commercially supply critically needed Cumbrian provenance trees, especially the rarer montane species, suitable for establishing upland native woodland.

“This project allows our beneficiaries to expand their horticultural knowledge whilst improving their mental health and leaving a lasting impact in their communities.”

The initiative is designed to address a significant undersupply of native tree species for conservation and rewilding projects across Cumbria and to tackle NHS waiting lists for mental health support. 

The charity says it is currently helping 200 people at the site this year, but it has capacity to support 300.

With 20,000 young trees, saplings and whips, are being grown in polytunnels at Tebay including Silver and Downy birch, Alder, Rowan, Hazel and Sessile Oak, the charity has been busy.

From seed collection through to final planting, charity participants will be involved in every step, developing practical skills, supporting their recovery, and contributing directly to environmental regeneration.

Growing Well beneficiary Ian from the Eden area, said: “Planting Cumbrian tree seeds and knowing they’ll grow locally is brilliant.

“I’ve been involved since day one — building the workbenches, sowing seeds, and seeing the whole process unfold.

“Growing Well has given me space to heal, reflect, and understand who I want to be. The support here is incredible; the environment we’re in, among people like myself, though we all have different issues.

“I want to give back as I know that the difficulties I’ve faced can happen to anyone in our community. It’s important to me that Growing Well helps people locally living in Cumbria, with their mental health recovery.”

The nursery’s first customer is Cumbria Wildlife Trust who need whips to support the creation of an Atlantic rainforest at nearby Skiddaw Forest.

Helen Duxbury, Development Manager at Cumbria Wildlife Trust said: “We are really pleased to be partnering with Growing Well in cultivating trees for some of our important projects.

“We’re combining their expertise in tackling mental health and our environmental knowhow for the good of people and the planet.”

The cost of setting up the tree nursery has been met by funding from Archipelago Choice, Forestry England, Liontrust Foundation, National Lottery Community and National Lottery Heritage Funds, NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, Scottish Power Foundation and Westmorland Ltd.

This means all proceeds from future tree sales will be reinvested into Growing Well’s social enterprise to support the long-term sustainability of its mental health services.

One of the funders Chair of Westmorland Ltd, Sarah Dunning, which operates Tebay Services, said: “We are delighted to see our partnership with Growing Well at Tebay continue to thrive.

“The launch of the tree nursery is a natural next step, delivering meaningful mental health support while creating environmental, economic, and social value for Cumbria.”

Growing Well currently operates from three locations across Cumbria at Kendal, Tebay Services and Egremont in West Cumbria.

It is the largest pesticide-free grower of fruit and vegetables in Cumbria and the new tree nursery adds a vital new dimension to its horticultural and therapeutic offering.

The charity works with up to 900 individuals each year through a structured programme of therapeutic horticulture, skills development and community engagement, led by trained staff and volunteers.