HER Royal Highness Princess Alexandra has unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of the newly refurbished Thrive Gardener Workshop at the charity’s Herb Garden in Battersea Park, London.
HRH, who is Patron of Thrive, toured the new glasshouse and met disabled gardeners who regularly attend sessions with horticultural therapists.
HRH was shown around by Thrive Chief Executive Nicci Carruthers and Battersea Garden Project Manager Sue Stuart and was interested in everything that was happening at Thrive Battersea.
A keen gardener herself, the Princess spent a considerable amount of time talking to the gardeners and therapists. HRH spoke to Jim Austin and Liam Mulroe who have learning difficulties. Both have been coming to Thrive for around ten years. She said how lovely it is to watch things grow and was interested to learn that Jim makes his own compost!
The Princess said the herb garden was a "remarkable area" and was very impressed with how it was planted.
"It’s so nice here for people. People love doing things with the earth. But you have to be patient," she said.
Thrive volunteer Charlotte Darwin said: "It was lovely to be able to show the Princess what we do.
"Everyone needs to garden. I think volunteering here is as good for the volunteers as it is for the people who come here."
The Princess spoke to therapist Chrissie Jones in the glasshouse who told her about Thrive’s free training programme called 'Working It Out’ aimed at unemployed Londoners who are living with mental ill health.
Funded by London Councils and the European Social Fund it is designed for people who really want to enter paid employment but find it hard to access training and employment opportunities, and who need support to develop the necessary skills.
The Princess was impressed with the pumpkins on display, all grown by Thrive gardeners, and left with a cyclamen, a tomato and a dibber.
After unveiling a plaque declaring the Thrive Gardener Workshop officially open, the Princess was presented with a bouquet by blind gardener Kevin Smith.
Anne Marie - a stroke survivor in a wheelchair was so delighted to be able to be there and was introduced to HRH. It brought tears to people’s eyes as outside Thrive Anne Marie feels people avoid talking to her out of misplaced kindness because speaking isn't easy for her.
Garden Manager Sue Stuart ended the day with Carl, a deaf client who likes to communicate in writing. He is often depressed and anxious but was so happy and excited, the pair filled the notice board twice over with a 'conversation' about his day.
The glasshouse and gardener workshop is the first phase of a major redevelopment of Thrive Battersea. Work at Thrive’s main garden, also situated in Battersea Park, starts in November next. The whole garden is being re-built and the portable sheds and buildings will be replaced by a stunning new orangery which will house training room and can be used flexibly to accommodate large and small groups.
Fundraising for the final phase continues and Thrive needs £170,000 to complete the project.
Find out more about the events at Thrive Battersea here .