About and Ethos

Yew Tree Evergreen


Yew trees are a common sight growing beside church doors and in burial grounds. They were probably planted in ancient sacred places long before stone churches were built.

Yew trees have survived as a species for over two hundred and fifty million years and many ancient Yews are thought to be over a thousand years old.

These resilient and dignified trees will naturally grow together in ‘communities’ and so are associated with communication, connection and regeneration which is a positive image for people and gardens.

Horticultural Knowledge

  • Royal Horticultural Society 2 qualification.
  • Previous employment in a Garden Share project.
  • Many years’ experience in gardens and allotments.
  • Experience in maintaining and developing a local park and woodland.

Health and wellbeing

  • Over 40 years experience working in charities and local council services with a focus on living with chronic health conditions, mental health , homelessness, domestic abuse , addiction / alcohol , equality and equity.
  • Knowledge of yoga, qi gong , meditation techniques and tai chi.
  • Personal experience of managing health and the benefits of gardening and nature.

Genealogy Experience

  • Personal family research over 30 years..
  • Membership of Scottish genealogy society.
  • BA(Hons) in History.

Bereavement Experience

  • 20 years in specialist hospital social work teams.
  • Experience of working in multi disciplinary teams and understanding other professional roles.
  • Experience in End-of-life care and bereavement counselling.

Yew Tree Evergreen Principles

Sustainability:

  • Recycling, repairing, and reusing will be integrated into gardening and craft activities when choosing materials and tools.
  • Debris from gravesites will be removed and recycled where possible.
  • No single use plastics will be used.
  • Peat free potting compost.
  • Organic plant feed .
  • Carbon use will be reduced as much as possible, for example by limiting driving.
  • Responsible water use .
  • Environmentally friendly stone cleaning processes and products.

Affordability:

  • A percentage of plants for therapeutic and social horticulture sessions will be homegrown or donated.
  • Money saving ideas and economical ways for everyone to garden will be central to private gardening and S&T sessions.

Respect for nature

  • Planting to encourage biodiversity.
  • Wildlife areas encouraged where possible
  • Knowledge of the legislation and graveyard regulations which protect rare species such as lichens and encourage wild life

Email : yewtree58mandy@gmail.com

Phone : 07443874939

Please leave a message. I will phone you back as soon as I can.