VOLUNTEERS have spoken out about how their local gardening project helps them.

Digging Deeside has been running for about three years and aims to bring the community together through gardening activities and gives those with additional needs a place to go.

The group has over 20 members, with people living with autism, Asperger's, and one member is registered as blind.

James Roberts, 50, has been volunteering for about two years and he said it has helped him, adding: “I have more confidence now and the chance to meet new people. I wouldn't have been able to do it without the help from Sarah and Sue."

James has become friends with Daz Cook, 46, and the pair now travel to the sessions together, something which they never would have done before.

Daz added: “I do my bit for the endangered species and you get to meet loads of new people and make friends.

“We help each other, I have very poor eyesight and James helps with that and James lacks in confidence, so I help him with that, we help each other.”

Harry Homer, of Connah's Quay, said: "It is like socialising and it's doing something for the community, I like talking to the residents here."

Digging Deeside, run by social enterprise RainbowBiz, received a grant last year allowing them to expand with extra allotments, they now meet every Tuesday in different areas.

Sarah Way, founder, said: “Monies raised by The Health Lottery funded through the People’s health Trust are supporting this much needed project in our community.

"I have an interest in gardening personally and for my own positivity I like being outside.

“For me it was about mental health and well-being. It doesn’t matter if we haven’t achieved much, what matters is they all work together and are happy."

Donations are requested, anything ranging from tea and biscuits to gardening tools and more information about when the group meets can be found on their website.