Life Changers is a free of charge weekly programme for people living with a life changing illness, injury or long-term health condition or who have experienced a life-changing event, such as those recovering from a stroke, cancer, surgery or living with diabetes, multiple sclerosis, long covid or other health conditions.
Each session enables people to experience the joy and health benefits of gardening in a social atmosphere, where individuals can build confidence to regain or maintain a healthy and independent lifestyle.
Therapeutic gardening and time in nature helps to improve physical, mental and social health. Being in a positive environment, where people can be active and feel a sense of purpose and achievement. Gardens offer peace and tranquillity, providing a space to find comfort and support, which can contribute to rehabilitation and recovery.
Day: Every Thursday
Time: 10am- 3pm
Location: Thrive, Kings Heath Park, Birmingham, B14 7TQ
Contact our team on 0121 293 4531 or fill in the form to find out more
Find out moreImprove wellbeing and reduce depression and anxiety
People living in Birmingham are referred by a GP or suitable health or social care professional or they can refer themselves. The programme runs on a rolling basis. After completing the programme, participants are signposted to further opportunities to continue gardening.
Small groups of up to eight people attend weekly day sessions at the garden in Thrive, Birmingham.
A trained practitioner tailors gardening and nature-based activities to people’s needs and goals - such as increasing stamina, mobility and balance, improving fine motor skills, increasing memory and information retention or strengthening muscles.
We provide specially adapted tools and equipment and access to glasshouses and tabletop gardening to aid accessibility. Activities include a wide range of seasonal indoor or outdoor gardening tasks such as seed sowing, planting bulbs, growing vegetables, pruning, weeding, caring for plants and making hanging baskets. No gardening experience is needed.
80% of Life Changers programme participants leave happier or with improved mental wellbeing and physical health.
Life Changers helped me socially and emotionally. It helped get me out of the house and meet people. It also helped me appreciate flowers and trees and made me want to learn more about gardening.
Life Changers programme participant
T first came to Thrive after being referred by Headway, due to a brain injury she experienced after a series of serious epileptic seizures. During lockdown she spent her time making embroidered doilies and taking part in ‘Zoom’ sessions to keep busy, but she still felt lonely, isolated and lost her confidence. She also started to forget things.
Sessions at Thrive are tailored to suit individual needs, and T’s time at Thrive has helped to stimulate her brain, alongside providing that all important social interaction. Find out more about T's story here.
