Episode 75

 Gardening saved my life. 

 Today we're speaking with Ross Lee, the self acclaimed Ambitious Young Gardener. Ross is over a year into his horticultural adventure, and has been turning heads with his impressively vibrant and colourful garden. Five years prior to discovering that he was in possession of the proverbial green fingers, Ross was homeless. He was struggling with alcohol and drug addiction, and he felt as though his life had no purpose. 

Gardening, he says, saved his life. 

In today's episode we chat to Ross about traumatic times during his childhood that led him down the path of alcoholism, and eventually into homelessness. How his sexuality weighed heavy on his young shoulders. And finally, the garden he has grown over the past 18 months that he believes has given his life new meaning. 

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If you have been affected by any of the themes discussed in today's episode, we have listed some organisations below who are there if you need to talk:

Samaritans 

Call 116 132 for free

https://www.samaritans.org/

Papyrus UK

Call 0800 068 41 41

Papyrus Website

CALM ZONE

0800 58 58 58

https://www.thecalmzone.net/help/helpline/

MIND

0300 123 3393

https://www.mind.org.uk/

The Kaleidoscope Plus Group

0800 059 0123

https://www.kaleidoscopeplus.org.uk/