Welcome to the spring edition of Growth Point, I hope you are managing to stay well in these challenging times.
This edition devotes considerable space to looking at the impact of the coronavirus crisis on our sector, including insights and information which I hope you will find useful. If you would like to share information about your organisation's experience during the pandemic, good or bad, please get in touch.
Away from the virus, there are research, training and project updates, and a profile of an inspiring nursery celebrating 30 years of focusing on mental health.
Keep safe,
Mark Lang
Editor
Staying positive in tough times
Amid the continuing upheaval and uncertainty caused by coronavirus, Thrive CEO Kathryn Rossiter examines the challenges now facing our sector and the long-term prospects for charities.
Lockdown restrictions may have curtailed the operations of many social and therapeutic horticulture organisations, but there are some core activities that are more vital than ever.
The Green Minds project is a community eco-therapy service covering Brecon and district in Wales. Jess Tanner, co-project lead, reports on how it is using invention and creativity to digitally adapt to the coronavirus pandemic.
Although Thrive’s face-to-face courses have inevitably been cancelled for the immediate future, our training team is busily working on new resources to help keep you equipped.
Thrive has launched a new Gardening Club to improve health and wellbeing during lockdown.
It’s free to join and each week subscribers receive seasonal gardening advice as well as expert insights into how practical tasks can benefit them physically and mentally.
There are also activities for children to help them connect with nature and tips to make managing gardens easier for people with disabilities or long-term health conditions.
The Well Gardened Mind is a new book by psychiatrist and psychotherapist Sue Stuart-Smith that explores the effects of gardening and nature on health and wellbeing.
It's won plaudits from the likes of Stephen Fry who's described it as 'The wisest book I've read for many years.' Growth Point spoke to Sue about the book.
Celebrating 30 years of caring for people and plants
Sipping a cup of tea, Martin reflects on his experience being immersed in gardening and landscape work: ‘This opportunity has been like a breath of fresh air.
‘It’s definitely increased my confidence and it’s been really good working for different customers. There’s a real sense of satisfaction at the end of the day when the client can see the results of our hard work.’
Martin attends Cherry Tree Nursery, a Dorset charity helping people with mental health support needs that is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
The role of social and therapeutic horticulture (STH) in enhancing the lives of people in palliative care was put in the spotlight at Thrive’s annual Thriving Together conference.
The work of STH4PC, the STH for Palliative Care Interest Group, which is made up of occupational therapists, nurses, consultants, counsellors, horticulturists, gardeners, volunteers and others, was highlighted at the one-day continuous professional development and networking day.
New Thrive nature and gardens resource targets better health and wellbeing
Reducing stress and anxiety by connecting to the therapeutic power of gardens and nature is the target of a new resource launched by Thrive.
Spending time in green spaces has proven benefits for mental and physical health which Thrive and family-owned garden centre group Notcutts want more people to access through a new free tool called Cultivating Wellbeing in Gardens and Nature.
We're always on the look out for interesting editorial ideas for Growth Point.
Do get in touch if you have new research to share, are setting up a new project or have expertise and insights that you'd like to share with the Growth Point audience.
*Thrive is registered in the UK as The Society of Horticultural Therapy. Thrive is a registered charity number 277570 and a limited company, number 1415700.
