Gardening at home can be a good way to get your life back after a stroke or if you are living with heart disease. Thrive’s programme, Just 30!, gives practical and helpful gardening advice and was created with funding from the Department of Health, and advice from The Stroke Association and British Heart Foundation.
Thrive's
gardening for hearts & minds guide shows how just 30 minutes of gardening a day can help recovery. Here are comments from people who have tried some of the Just 30! gardening activities:
"…When I started I couldn’t move my hands or fingers, doing gardening gets your hands moving again"
"I think it’s one of the best ideas I’ve come across. Even if sitting in a wheelchair and can only use one hand, you still do something. Tip out a packet of seeds in a pot!"
The guide has a series of easy-to-follow, step-by-step progressive gardening activities which are divided into levels 1, 2 and 3. The activities will help:
- Build up strength and stamina, relax muscles, improve balance and movement.
- Keep the heart healthy, burn calories and best of all make you feel good!
Professor Roger Boyle, National Director for Heart Disease and Stroke, Department of Health, says "I am very pleased that Thrive has published this guide to set out the benefits of gardening as a means of rehabilitation. I am sure it will help many people at all stages of their recovery and irrespective of the size of their gardening space."
"I am very pleased that Thrive has published this guide to set out the benefits of gardening as a means of rehabilitation. I am sure it will help many people at all stages of their recovery and irrespective of the size of their gardening space."
Mark Gowers, Information Officer for the South East Region, The Stroke Association, says "gardening for hearts and minds shows that gardening can be an engaging, rewarding and beneficial activity for the stroke survivor which can increase confidence, improve quality of life after a stroke and lead to greater independence."
How to get a copy of the guide
You can download a complete copy of Thrive's gardening for hearts & minds guide free using the links below.
Alternatively, full-colour wiro-bound copies of the guide (printed on a thick laminated card as shown above) are available free to health professionals working in NHS stroke and heart rehabilitation units across England. If you are a patient in the NHS, the health professional working with you can order a free copy for you.
Or you can purchase a copy of the printed guide direct from Thrive for £8.99 (including postage and packing withing the UK).
To download a copy of the guide:
Section 1: Welcome and introduction, level 1 activities including advice on getting started and how to sow seeds.
Section 2: Level 2 activities to get you outside including planting containers, planting outside, deadheading, pruning and cutting back.
Section 3: How to tackle garden maintenance jobs such as weeding, raking and mowing.
Section 4: Seasonal activity calendar, tips and garden tools, contact details of organisations which may be of use, acknowledgements.
To purchase copies:
Please go to the publications section and complete the order process or email the Information Service and ask for details. Alternatively, please call us on 0118 988 5688 to place your order.
Carry on Gardening website
There is additional information and advice on gardening after a stroke and with heart disease on Thrive's second website www.carryongardening.org.uk. The website has:
- Gardening activities designed to support your rehabilitation, recovery, health and well being. These activities are graded into 3 levels, according to intensity.
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A seasonal guide with gardening activities that can be started in each month of the year. Each activity can be undertaken regardless of whether you have a windowsill, patio, conservatory or garden.
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Information on 7 ways to make your garden easier to manage by altering your garden layout and using techniques and methods for easier gardening.
- Links to useful websites and organisations that can provide advice, resources and grants to help you to continue to enjoy gardening.