More about Thrive’s work at the Battersea Garden Project

Thrive works in three different garden areas within Battersea Park – the main garden near the sports arena, the Herb Garden close to Albert Gate and the Old English Garden on North Carriage Drive.

With today’s facilities we can help around 50 disabled people per year from local communities. Our gardeners may have learning, physical or mental health disabilities, but through programmes which are specifically developed to meet their needs, we help them realise their life goals and ambitions.

More information on some of our key projects is shown below, but for more details contact Susan Stuart, Garden Manager, by email or call on 020 7720 2212.

Pathways

This is a programme for people with mild mental health problems. It offers them the opportunity to become independent volunteers. They work at the Chelsea Physic Garden and get the extra assistance they need and learn volunteering skills. Around 80% of our participants achieve their goal and become independent volunteers.
 
Old English Garden: a new venture in Battersea Park
Thrive’s disabled gardeners are renovating Battersea Park’s Old English Garden, a secluded area with trellis and benches that needs some care and attention. We are delighted that QVC, the UK’s leading television shopping channel, has supported this project.

This work will form the basis for ‘Working it Out’, a work shadowing programme which aims to give disabled Londoners access to employment in London’s parks and green spaces by developing their work and horticulture skills.

Community Outreach

Thrive is involved in providing support and advice to disability groups, SEN units, special schools and community groups in the local area. We are also working at:                                                

• Athledene, a day centre in Wandsworth for adults with learning disabilities, where we run gardening sessions
• Royal Bethlem (South London and Maudsley MHCT) where we run a garden project for patients who are looking to return to the community. We help them with vocational and social skills