Life Changers London

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 Monday

Time: 10am- 3pm

Location: Thrive Main Garden, Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ

• Improve wellbeing and reduce depression and anxiety

• Increase social interaction and peer-to-peer support within the group

• Increase confidence and reduce social isolation

• Promote the health benefits of gardening and being in nature

• Regain or maintain an active lifestyle to improve physical fitness

• Gain or renew skills and enthusiasm to continue gardening

• Provide a sense of purpose and achievement

People living in London 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, London.

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.