Finding Joy and Freedom in the Peace Garden

The sound of laughter and the bright flash of a hula hoop filled our Peace Garden at the end of July. These joyful sounds belonged to a group of asylum seeker families who spent the day with our Outreach Team, finding a space to breathe, play, and heal.

The families, from countries as diverse as Afghanistan, South America, and Africa, were visiting with the Saltburn and East Cleveland Asylum Seekers Befrienders group. This small but vital charity supports families who have been placed by the Home Office in rural villages, where the peace of the countryside can often feel like isolation.

Videography by Terence Walsh of twda.co.uk

The Gallery

Photography by Terence Walsh of twda.co.uk

The Peace Garden

Our visitors included parents and children aged between and . Guided by our wonderful Peace Garden team, they spent the day immersed in creative activities designed to soothe and inspire. The highlight for many was a visit from the Bare Toed Dance Company. With Abbi on stilts and Lynn and Jimmy demonstrating their circus skills, it wasn’t long before children and young people were joyfully balancing, swinging, dancing, and mastering tricks of their own.

For these families, a day of simple fun holds profound meaning. Many of the parents and children have experienced significant trauma in their home countries, and some of the women with us are widowed, navigating life as single parents in a new land.

In the midst of their challenging journeys, the Peace Garden offered a moment of freedom and connection. It was a powerful reminder of how a place of peace, filled with creativity and laughter, can become a truly safe and healing space for those who need it most.

Join Our Volunteer Team

Days like these are at the heart of the Minsteracres mission, and they are made possible by people who generously give their time and skills to our community. The same spirit of welcome that fills our Peace Garden runs through everything we do, from maintaining our beautiful grounds to serving guests in our dining room.

If you have been moved by this story and feel called to contribute, we would love to hear from you. Whether you have a passion for conservation, a gift for hospitality, or another skill you’d like to share, there is a place for you here.

Find out how you can become a volunteer by visiting our Get Involved page.

Picture of Terence Walsh

Terence Walsh

With a passion for design and a heart for community, Terence Walsh has spent over 20 years helping businesses in the North East grow their online presence. As the founder of TWDA (twda.co.uk), he is delighted to share his expertise with Minsteracres, contributing to their mission of offering a place of peace and reflection in our busy digital world.