Local Witney Gardener Turns Passion Into Career

Witney, United Kingdom, December 25, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Local gardener Richard MacKenzie is about to embark on a new adventure by setting up his own business to help people look after their gardeners in a more natural and eco-friendly way.

He has set up a small company called The Witney Gardener which will help people maintain their gardens, create homes for wildlife and grow fresh vegetables at home and his aim is to do it 100% pesticide free.

"For me the garden has given me a sense of purpose and connection, and it steadies the rhythm of my life which has helped me learn to live with my depression and anxiety."

Richard MacKenzie, Business Owner

The 36-year-old from Witney is no stranger to working for himself after running a successful business before becoming unwell a few years ago. When bad depression and anxiety hit a few years ago, Richard had to give up work, but he never gave up hope. Working in a local charity shop and attending Bridewell Organic Gardens, a therapeutic garden, twice per week for two years helped Richard to learn to live with his depression and anxiety.

Horticulture was the profession that Richard trained in when leaving school at Abingdon and Witney College, but he went off in a completely different career path only coming back to his beloved gardening after becoming unwell.

Richard said, “For me the garden has given me a sense of purpose and connection, and it steadies the rhythm of my life which has helped me learn to live with my depression and anxiety.” He added,“Gardening really did save my life and I have a real passion for it. Now it’s time to make that passion my career.”

For the past two years Richard has been working in a market garden in West Oxfordshire, and along with his time at Bridewell Organic Gardens has developed a strong passion for organic and sustainable gardening.

He also is a volunteer at his local community radio station, Witney Radio, where he hosts a very popular show called “Life on the Lottie”. Richard said, “Hosting the show is extremely difficult when you have anxiety, but with the fantastic support I get from other volunteers at the station and from friends and family it is really helpful as it helps me to build my confidence.”

The Witney Gardener is predominantly based in an around West Oxfordshire