Open SU’s Wellbeing Week competition – winners announced!

My poster is about my journey growing squash/pumpkins after saving supermarket seeds last year from one I ate. It was just an experiment to see what would happen. The speed at which they grow is extraordinary and has greatly encouraged me to get out into the allotment almost daily for the last six months, so that I can check on their progress! They have become my pride and joy and I am very much looking forward to the tasty soup they will make and carving some for Halloween. I am already thinking about how I can grow different varieties next year and whether growing them up a trellis would work better as they do take over the allotment! 

Ellen, OU student

As a disabled person, finding ways to enjoy getting outdoors has been valuable to both my mental and physical health. I even volunteer, helping other disabled people get outdoors now too! On the gardening side I have a very small space but it's accessible for me, so both my indoor and outdoor gardening skills have improved, and it is very satisfying.

Victoria, OU student and Environment and Sustainability Volunteer

Being in nature is really important to my and my husband particularly since we were unable to get out hardly at all for a long time...during the pandemic. We didn't realise quite how much we valued nature until we couldn't get out in it.  Even when stuck inside, we could watch and listen to the birds and feel connected.

Rebecca, OU student

Gardening improves my well-being because it connects me with other people who I wouldn't have the same relationship with if we had met outside the garden. It connects me to myself and has helped me realise just how interconnected we actually are, how equally precious that is, it's helped to feel a part of something bigger. 

I love how calming gardening is but also how much of a sensory experience it is, one that is different to being in a city; the smells of earth, soil literally full of life, fragrant flowers, the rainbow of colours and in between. It helps me to feel more engaged with the seasons as they come and go and to look for the small changes to our earth that it creates. It helps me to appreciate all the animals, pollinators and all insects. Most of all nature reminds me to be humble and to have humility.

Elena, OU student

My competition entry is about connection and resilience. 

Most of the plants in the photo were given to me by Linda who hosted a workshop for new OU students in the summer on how to take plant cuttings. 

After a long drive back from Milton Keynes, I planted the cuttings in a rush (and without plant growth hormone which I didn't have) as I was going away for 10 days the following day. A heatwave was on the way and I didn't hold out much hope. 

Most of the plants survived even though you might be able to see that a couple of them did not. When I look at them I remember to focus on the good which outweighs the bad (not all our endeavours are successful), and I enjoy knowing that I have this connection with a fellow OU student in Northamptonshire whom I met in Milton Keynes, and now with many other students up and down the country who enjoy looking after plants. 

Thanks

Irena, OU student

The winner of this competition was chosen by Open SU's Environment and Sustainability Working Group. 

Keep an eye on our website for more sustainability competitions.