The idea
Grow Chichester manages two community gardens on previously disused land. Grant funding has enabled us to purchase tools and plants and make structural improvements such as raised beds suitable for wheelchair users.
We currently provide weekly sessions led by a trained horticultural therapist for 15 vulnerable service users with a range of mobility and health problems. Service users benefit from gentle outdoor exercise and have access to fresh organic produce. A recent survey indicated that they had all felt an improvement in physical health and general well-being since they started coming to the garden
Now that these therapeutic sessions are well-established, we wish to extend the range of service users benefiting from our gardens and provide additional weekly sessions for people with mental health issues. Funding is required to help us pay for the services of our horticultural therapist to lead these sessions.
What we'll deliver
- Weekly gardening sessions for people with mental health issues
- Upgrade pathways to make them safe for vulnerable users
- Install a rainwater harvesting system
Why it's a great idea
We have all become increasingly aware of the rise in mental health problems in our society. There is much evidence of the benefits to physical and mental well-being to be derived from gardening. We have been approached by a number of local organisations catering for people with mental health issues such as MIND and The Richmond Fellowship who are eager for some of their clients to join tailor-made gardening sessions. Our project will help to fulfill this need.
Steps to get it done
- Sourcing service users for new therapeutic horticulture sessions
- First session facilitated by therapeutic horticulturalist
- Sessions well-established with regular attendees
- Rainwater harvesting system installed
- Pathways upgraded to make them safe for vulnerable users
