Cambridge is divided by a 12-year gap in healthy life expectancy

A 2017 Centre for Cities report, external described Cambridge as the UK’s most unequal city, with some of the country’s highest living costs.

Keir Bowater, 29, is part of Abbey People, a gardening club that meets at East Barnwell Centre in the Abbey ward in north-east Cambridge, which is one of the most deprived areas in the city.

The charity’s volunteers provide support to the community through a food hub, gardening projects and by running social events.

He says working with plants and meeting people has helped his mental health.

“I’m unemployed and I find being outside really helps me stay positive,” he says.

The Oxford University graduate says he has been struggling to find a job.

He added that gardening has helped his mood as well as his physical health.

“Somebody said to me people in Abbey have a life expectancy 11 years shorter than the rest of Cambridge, which made my jaw drop.

“That’s a huge, huge disparity.

“The money is there. You’ve got the colleges, the tech but there’s a large chunk of people who don’t see any of that money. Abbey ward is where you see that.”