Gardening Therapy

Walworth Garden has successfully run therapeutic gardening programmes for many, many years. The programmes are designed with the individuals needs and abilities in mind and groups work together for the benefit of all; building confidence, improving social skills, gardening knowledge and gaining independence.

Working with nature has long been known to be of benefit both physically and mentally to all of us, and Walworth Garden’s ‘nature-first’ approach is especially important for its focus on the environment.

Participants work on all areas of gardening in our potting shed and greenhouses as well as outside in almost all weather. The work includes sowing seeds, pricking out and potting on, weeding, planting, attending to and watering plants in our Plant Centre and growing and harvesting food in our allotment.

This sort of work improves participants' physical skills and dexterity and also improves their mental health. Working with others helps participants practice social, collaborative and communication skills.

These sessions take place on Mondays or Thursdays and participants are expected to attend all sessions in a 14 week programme.

Sessions last 2.5 hours, either in the morning or afternoon:

Monday: 10am - 12.30pm or 1.30pm - 4pm

Thursday: 10am - 12.30pm or 1.30pm - 4pm

The maximum number of participants in each session will be ten.

Cost

Normally this programme costs £50 per session per person, however, while funding is available, these sessions are free.

We ask that participants pay a £30 refundable booking fee which is returned at the end of the 14 week programme, if they attend all sessions. Unavoidable absences must be evidenced.

There is “…increasing evidence that exposure to plants & green space, and particularly to gardening, is beneficial to mental and physical health” - Royal College of Physicians

Express an interest for yourself or someone you know

Please complete this form to allow us to check your eligibility, and get in touch with more details on the next start date.

Name of Participant

First Name

Last Name

Date of birth

YYYY

Address

Postcode

Your current borough of residence

Phone number

Confirm phone number

Email address

Confirm email address

Emergency contact name and telephone number

Main reason for referral/self-referral including any medical diagnosis if relevant

Do you/does the individual you are referring have any other health problems we should be aware of eg insulin dependent diabetes epilepsy heart condition back pain etc?

Do you/does the individual you are referring have a history of violence/aggression, drug/alcohol abuse, and/or self-harm? (Please include a risk assessment if one is in place by emailing tracy@walworthgarden.org.uk with your/the individuals name)

Please tick to confirm that you/the individual you are referring consents to Walworth Garden processing your/their personal data

Confirm

If making a referral: Referrer name

If making a referral: Referrer email address

If making a referral: Referrer phone number

If making a referral: Referrer position

If making a referral: Referrer organisation

Where/how did you hear about Gardening Therapy?

Which session are you able to attend?

You may select more than one time and we will assign you to a suitable class

Monday 10-12:30

Monday 1:30-4:30

Thursday 10-12:30

Thursday 1:30-4:30

Please note: You may only participate in one programme at a time in the Garden. Once you have been accepted onto a programme you must complete it before moving on to another.