The mystery of floral bouquets appearing around the Jewellery Quarter has been solved. For nearly a decade, Sherrie Phelps and Joanne Yardley, co-owners of Lily Jones Flowers, have been leaving free flower arrangements to spread positivity.
Each May, during Mental Health Awareness Week from May 11 to 17, the duo places nine or ten 'lonely bouquets' on benches, tables, and other spots. The initiative aims to highlight mental health and challenge stigma.
Sherrie explained: 'We all have family or friends affected by mental health issues, and it's important to remind people that not every disability is physical. Just because you look okay on the outside doesn't mean you are on the inside.'
The bouquets include tags with messages encouraging finders to take them home or give them to a friend, and to share photos on social media. Sherrie shared a story of a woman who found a bouquet in St Paul's Square and was cheered up by it.
The florists also run similar schemes on Valentine's Day and other occasions, reinforcing their community-oriented ethos.
