Two gardening projects launched by Thrive will help older people in rural communities feel less isolated.
Thrive will use the therapeutic powers of gardening to help older people with a history of mental health problems and other disabilities, regain confidence, build self esteem and motivation, feel better physically and mentally and create new social networks.
The Commission for Rural Communities highlights a trend towards an ageing population that is particularly vulnerable to isolation and loneliness, and for whom it can be costly to deliver vital services.
This is especially true for those older people in scattered and remote communities who have little or no family support. Evidence shows that appropriate, well designed services which are accessible even for those older people living in very rural locations, can have significant benefits for both user and provider.
Research shows that older people are frequently let down when they really need help: one in ten older people may experience depression – rising to about 40 per cent for those living in care homes. With funding cuts set to hit some day centres across the UK, it is even more important to ensure older people are not forgotton.
Working across Berkshire, Hampshire and South Oxfordshire, Thrive wants to help people create community gardening and horticultural therapy projects in the areas where they live, which will improve their mental and physical health, reduce isolation and bring people together.
We will work with vulnerable older people to tackle the causes of disabilities such as mental illness, including isolation and loneliness and help them become more active citizens through rural based community gardening projects.
Thrive has received funding from the Big Lottery for two projects: Community Rural Gardening is being funded through the Reaching Communities programme and Growing 4 Life is being funded by Ecominds.
Both are free to older people with mental health needs and Community Rural Gardening is also for older people with disabilities who live within two miles of the garden locations.
Project manager Wendy Chamberlain said: "Gardening is the tool we use to help some of the more isolated members of our community.
"Green exercise has been proven to improve mental well-being, lifting mood and boosting self-esteem.
"These projects present a wonderful opportunity to help improve local green spaces whilst at the same time forging community links and working with people who may be socially isolated.
"We hope people will benefit from the social inclusion and interaction of this project and develop a sense of purpose and achievement.
"Thrive will help them develop gardening skills and build up their knowledge and experience of garden-related activities. We hope that at least three quarters of them will adapt a healthier lifestyle as a result, and that the same amount will find improvements in their mental health.
"Once new gardening groups have been established, we will encourage people to stay together, remain active and Thrive will be on hand to give additional support when required."
During the projects Thrive will record, monitor and evaluate what’s happened and the findings will be published to assist professionals working with older people who wish to use gardening as a therapy.
Thrive is a small national charity that uses gardening to change lives. We champion the benefits of gardening, carry out research and offer training and practical solutions so that anyone with a disability can take part in, benefit from and enjoy gardening.
If you know an individual or an organisation in Berkshire, Hampshire or South Oxfordshire that may benefit from being part of Community Rural Gardening or Growing-4-Life, please contact Wendy Chamberlain on 0118 988 5688 or email wendy.chamberlain@thrive.org.uk