Meet Tim – a gardening legend!

Almost six years ago, Tim Ellis enquired about volunteering at YMCA Exeter, asking if we could use his skills as a horticulturist and landscaper. Little did he know how timely his enquiry was and how he would soon become an absolute godsend.   

“I’ve been a gardener since I was 14,” explains Tim, as he tells a bit of his backstory. “It was my mum who first introduced me to it and it’s been my hobby, my job and my skill ever since.”  

For years, Tim ran his own business, creating beautiful garden makeovers for both commercial and private clients.  

“One huge job I worked on, I had to employ a team of seven,” laughs Tim.  

Arriving at YMCA Exeter to volunteer in 2021, Tim brought all of his incredible experience as a horticulturalist, landscaper and grafter to the team right when they needed it most. 

“When Tim arrived, we were just setting up the Exwick Forest School space in collaboration with Exwick Community Church,” explains Sam Thomas, YMCA Exeter Community Projects Manager. “Tim was a huge help across the whole project, especially leading the build on a living roof timber structure.” 

Since 2021, Tim has become a fundamental part of the volunteer garden crew.  

“I would be lost without him,” continues Sam. “At St Davids Hill our 31-bed home for young people who have come out of homelessness he led the installation of a polytunnel in our community garden and started a proper compost system and a seasonal planting succession plan.”  

Every week, the community garden comes alive with activity as residents step into the tranquil space and get stuck into horticultural activities. 

One of those residents was Kirstie, who moved into St David’s Hill as a resident in 2022. Today, Kirstie is a staff member at YMCA Exeter, working as a peer mentor with young people in Paignton.  

“In those first weeks at YMCA Exeter, it was a big step for me coming out into the garden space,” explains Kirstie. “But over the years, being in such a therapeutic space and working alongside the garden team was the start of my anxiety beginning to reduce. 

“I helped Tim build the pizza oven in the community garden. I’d never built anything like that before and I learned so much in the process. It’s great to see the oven being used at summer gatherings.” 

Over a few years, Kirstie helped Tim build a retaining wall along a flower bed, learned huge amounts about general garden maintenance, plus got stuck into community projects alongside Tim and a team in Heavitree with the ParkLife Community group.  

“Tim was easy to chat with and always willing to teach me if I had questions,” continues Kirstie. “I always enjoyed working alongside him.” 

For Tim, being out in the garden and working alongside residents is about giving them a space to relax, whilst sharing his knowledge and skills. 

“These skills are a God-given talent and I want to share them with others,” explains Tim. “Being out in the garden gives residents purpose; it takes their mind off things they may be dealing with and gives them the satisfaction of seeing things grow.”  

From all of us at YMCA Exeter, we’re so thankful for Tim’s consistent support and knowledge sharing.