The Thrive gardening project
We’re always looking for new ways to support the incredible women who come through our doors. When our Resident Engagement Worker Louise first visited Thrive Birmingham, she immediately saw the potential for our residents; gardening, nature, and community all coming together in a way that would benefit their mental health and wellbeing.
Since October 2024, Thrive have been running sessions within our own Jasmine refuge gardening, working with both women and children to improve and maintain the space and show what a positive impact gardening can have.
It’s no secret that being outdoors and engaging with nature can have a huge impact on mental health; for this reason we were thrilled to receive funding from People’s Health Trust as part of their Nature For Health project, that enabled us to begin this rewarding partnership.
The project with Thrive Birmingham goes beyond just “getting outside”. Based on principles of social and therapeutic horticulture, gardening can also improve physical health (like strengthening muscles) and provide meaningful occupation that gives a sense of purpose.
Additionally for our residents, working within our own refuge garden gives them a chance to take pride in where they live, interact with the other residents and staff, and learn a new skill that could be helpful to them once they move on from our refuge.
As with any new project, there have been challenges along the way. One of the biggest hurdles has been helping residents see the value of gardening. It’s easy to think of gardening as an “old-fashioned” hobby, but the truth is, it’s incredibly useful! From growing their own food to learning how to care for plants, these skills offer both practical and emotional benefits for our residents.
There was also some trepidation at first. Many of the women were wary of getting their hands dirty, especially during the colder months. The community and group aspect of the project, while very rewarding, was also daunting to some of our newer and shyer residents. Staff worked hard to promote the project, putting up posters and sharing as much information as possible. They even led by example, with staff pitching in and, in turn, benefiting from slowing down and enjoying the mindful activity.
One of the most exciting aspects was the opportunity to create a child-friendly outdoor space, where the women can enjoy the fresh air with their children without leaving the safety of the refuge.
We were looking forward to reaping the rewards of the project, during which we:
- Painted planters to brighten up the space.
- Planted winter flowers and learnt what grows best in the colder months.
- Learnt how to care for house plants, bringing nature indoors.
- Got hands-on with crafting projects, like creating wreaths from natural materials.
However, when we left our Jasmine refuge in Saltley, we sadly also had to say goodbye to our lovely garden.
But there’s more to come! Now that we are settled into our brand-new refuge, we are really excited to be starting up the partnership with Thrive once more. While the garden here needs quite a bit of work, our residents are really looking forward to pitching in and making the space their own, particularly as we welcome the warm summer months.
