Aviva Community Fund has provided £2,093 of match funding
THERAPY GARDEN - Support Mental Health & The Earth
Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
Aim
Life at No.27 needs to build a new therapy garden, offering free and low-cost mental health support and gardening therapy to those in need.
Life at No.27 provides gardening therapy, mental health support and counselling to children and adults struggling with mental ill health, isolation, low confidence and self-esteem. Supporting them to grow in confidence and self-belief, whilst offering a safe space for them to talk, learn new skills and meet others. All whilst connecting with nature, creativity and learning how to grow and prepare their own food.
We are a non-profit organisation based across Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire. Now looking to expand into South Wales and support more people, plus the earth!
We are raising money to set up a new therapy garden, where we can offer free and low-cost gardening therapy and mental health support sessions. Designed to support children and adults in need, near Ystrystradgynlais in South Wales.
The funding will enable us to set up a new organic no-dig therapy garden in the local area and recruit a professional counsellor and horticultural therapist. We need to launch a new weekly children's after school club and adult's weekly mental health group for those struggling with mental ill health.
With enough funding we will also launch regular 6 week gardening courses for adults, where the community can come to learn all the basics of growing their own food, composting, soil science and more.
Giving those in the community somewhere safe at our therapy garden to come relax, talk if they wish, be themselves, meet others and learn new skills, all in the community garden.
Testimonials:
“As someone who has tried CBT and talking therapy but felt awkward being face to face with a stranger in a therapy room, seeing Annabelle in the garden is a different experience. Annabelle puts me at ease and having the fresh air, plants, birds, mindful tasks like planting seeds, weeding, touching and smelling the herbs, takes away all my self-consciousness and allows me to think, feel and speak freely. It has given me the courage and clarity to make really significant changes in my life, and ongoing support to navigate any difficulties and maintain the positives“
ADULT 1-2-1 CLIENT
“It’s been great! It’s really boosted my confidence.”
STUDENT – 13 YEARS OLD
This project successfully funded on 24th January 2023