x
Leslie Smith 3 of 3
This time last year, Leslie Smith was going through weeks of arduous radiotherapy for cancer.

After his treatment, the 89-year-old came across a leaflet about Thrive.

Being interested in learning about gardening, he joined our Birmingham centre’s Sow & Grow programme last summer, which offers 12 weeks of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture to people over 50.

‘I’ve never had a garden and have always lived in flats, which is my one big regret in life,’ said Leslie. ‘I didn’t know Thrive was here and I thought I would really like to find out about gardening, so I applied.’

The programme introduced him to many gardening activities such as planting bulbs, clearing beds, hoeing, hedge trimming and seed sowing.

‘It was very interesting. I met new people, most of them had their own garden and the ladies in particular knew the names of the plants and I learnt from them too.’

Leslie Smith 2 of 3

Being deemed as clinically vulnerable and in a high-risk category meant that during lockdowns Leslie was socially isolated: ‘I wasn’t going out and was staying indoors,’ he said.

Coming to Thrive provided social contact that has benefited his emotional wellbeing: ‘If it hadn’t been for this, I wouldn’t have got out anywhere,’ he said. ‘I have enjoyed every minute of it. It’s been very good; the people were all very nice.’

Indeed, since Leslie’s Sow & Grow group came to an end, he has met up with its other members outside of Thrive to stay in touch.

Coming here, I’m just concentrating on these plants and I just forget everything else.

Leslie

He was also keen to keep benefiting from Social and Therapeutic Horticulture and has joined Thrive’s ongoing weekly general sessions.

Leslie said: ‘I thoroughly enjoy it. I’m learning about gardening which I don’t know about, I'm making new friends with different outlooks, and emotionally I don’t worry so much about my illness because I have something else to think about.

‘Coming here, I’m just concentrating on these plants and I just forget everything else. I forget how ill I feel.

‘I’m getting physical benefits, such as being out in the fresh air but it’s emotional [support] as much as anything else.’

Help us support more people like Leslie

Make a donation
Birmingham gardens
pop up banner thumbnail

Check out Thrive's new app

Cultivating Wellbeing is the first gardening for health and wellbeing app. Create your personalised plan, find expert tips and garden your way to better health.

Download Now