How gardening has helped Johnny thrive

Just over a year ago, we shared Johnny’s incredible weight loss journey. Since then, Johnny has discovered a new passion that’s had a huge impact on his life: gardening.

Johnny lives in a flat with a small garden area outside. It wasn’t much to begin with, very overgrown and hard to manage,  but with commitment from staff, especially Dana, and Johnny himself, they have turned it into a garden to be proud of!

Spending time outdoors quickly became something Johnny really enjoyed. It helped his wellbeing and became a way for him to stay active. As a keen photographer, he started taking pictures of the plants, insects and details around him and that’s when the gardening bug really kicked in.

With a bit of guidance and encouragement from Dana and our team, Johnny began learning how to grow his own vegetables. He’s experimented with different seeds and herbs, and even though not everything has worked perfectly, he’s always been excited to learn what does and doesn’t grow well and is already planning what to plant next year.

What’s made it even more special is how it’s tied into Johnny’s health journey. He’s explored different spices and recipes and now he’s not just growing veg, he’s cooking with it too. It’s made him even more excited about eating well and taking care of himself.

Johnny said:

I’m really happy with my garden. I’m enjoying doing a lot of research about it and waking up early to water my plants. I’m learning as I go and next year my garden will be bigger and better. I’d really like to get a raised plant bed next.

The impact on Johnny has been clear to everyone around him. He’s more confident, proud of his home and how he looks, and more open to new ideas. His flat is tidier, he’s out and about more with his camera, and he’s full of energy for what’s next – he’s even talking about running a marathon!

Johnny’s story shows how powerful it can be to find something you love and stick with it, and thanks to Dana and support from the team, he’s proving just how much is possible when you’re given the space and encouragement to grow.