When Barry Stone first entered John Room House in Thetford, he was struggling with substance addiction and lacked the confidence to talk to people.

Two years on, he has now turned his life around after rediscovering a love for gardening and clocking up more than 60 hours work on a greenfingered volunteer project.

Mr Stone moved into the supported housing scheme, in London Road, in February 2013, admitting himself that he was 'in a pretty bad place'.

'It was three days before I was well enough to talk to people or introduce myself,' he said.

With John Room House's own vegetable gardens and polytunnel to hand, he was able to find a new focus for his life and now manages the gardens, growing produce which is then used in the housing scheme's kitchen.

And in March last year, he was able to share his refound passion on the two-day Breckland Master Gardeners induction course with 20 others.

Mr Stone's journey culminated last week in him being presented with a certificate for volunteering achievement by Gabbie Joyce of Garden Organic after clocking up more than 60 hours of volunteering in the last year.

His work was lauded as an example by Breckland Council, who back the Master Gardeners scheme.

Cllr Lynda Turner, Breckland Council executive member for communities and environmental services, said: 'Mr Stone is an inspirational figure for other residents and to other Master Gardeners, and his story reflects the capacity of gardening to provide social as well as nutritional and physical benefits.

'For anyone new to gardening and unsure where to start, having a knowledgeable and supportive mentor makes all the difference. The Breckland Master Gardeners project has been a great success since it was launched last year - we've seen the training and appointment of 21 new Breckland Master Gardeners who, between them, have supported over 400 new growers.'

An induction training weekend, held locally on March 28 to 29, will provide budding Master Gardeners with all the knowledge and resources they will need to inspire and support new growers.

Following completion of the two-day course, newly trained Master Gardeners will each support three local households in growing their own food.

To find out more about the volunteer role and/or book a place on the course, contact Gabbie Joyce on 07584 583803, email gjoyce@gardenorganic.org.uk or look on the website www.norfolk.mastergardeners.org.uk

Are you involved with a volunteer scheme? Email tbw.news@archant.co.uk