Cultivating Connections
The Pitch
Problem statement
Mental health (MH) challenges are a growing concern, with 1 in 4 people in the UK experiencing MH issues each year (Mind). Residents of East London specifically Tower Hamlets report the highest level of depression/anxiety in London. Gardening has proven therapeutic benefits, reducing anxiety & depression while promoting social connections. But, in urban areas like East London, individuals in supported housing face isolation, stigma, & have limited access to green spaces. Many do not have the skills, confidence, or resources to engage in nature-based activities. A resident shared “We need someone to help us (with gardening). I can’t do it on my own.” The project will address these barriers.
Solution
This project will deliver 30 fortnightly interactive gardening workshops over 5 months at 3 MH services (2 care homes in Hackney Wick & 1 housing support service in Tower Hamlets) managed by Look Ahead. A gardening tutor will engage residents in activities such as growing vegetables & herbs, composting, making flower beds, biodiversity conservation, and garden art therapy. Funding will cover tutor fees, materials, and a final community event helping people to regularly come outside of their flats and engage with meaningful physical activity enhancing their mental and physical health. This will create sustainable and homely green spaces for some of the most isolated people in East London.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
With over 50 years of experience providing housing & support to vulnerable individuals, we have a proven track record of helping people integrate into the wider community through impactful social projects. Our past initiatives, such as Love Your Home and Greener for All, focused on creating eco-therapeutic & welcoming spaces, engaging residents in nature-based activities, and boosting their confidence and social connections. Additionally, our staff’s expertise in mental health support ensures we can offer an inclusive and accessible environment. We are well-positioned to make this project a success with our experience in delivering such projects & a pre-identified, skilled gardening tutor.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Gardening tutor fees (£65/workshop x 6 workshops/month x 5 months) | £1,950 |
| Materials( Plants, Seeds/seedlings, flower bulbs, Pots, Soil) x £600 x 3 services/gardens | £1,800 |
| Equipment (Gardening tools, Compost bin, Mini Green house, Gravel boards, Water butt, Wooden flower beds, Fence paint) x £650 x 3 gardens | £1,950 |
| Arts and craft materials such as Paint, canvasses, brushes to make bird feeders, nesting boxes, paint pots, and compost bin x £100 x 3 gardens | £300 |
| Open Garden event and food sharing for 20-30 people per event (residents’ family, friends and our residents from other East London services will be invited) - Groceries, plates & cutlery x 3 events | £300 |
Beneficiaries
60 people
Who will benefit
Expected impact
The project will support at least 60 individuals with moderate to severe mental health challenges, equipping them with practical gardening skills, enhancing their social connections & improving their well-being. Expected outcomes include: 100% participants gaining access to thriving sensory green spaces in their own accommodation removing barriers like travel, accessibility, cost & stigma that our residents face in public areas benefiting them beyond the project. 80% of participants reporting improved mental health, feeling of social connection & reduced stress. 75% gaining new skills in sustainable gardening, growing own food & wild-life conservation reporting boost in confidence. Increased community engagement through regular fortnightly group workshops over 5 months & a final food-sharing event & open garden days, fostering social inclusion. Promotion of sustainable & biodiverse practices, with composting & creating wild-life friendly spaces reducing environment
Track record
‘Love Your Home’ & ‘Greener for All’ focussed on creating green & welcoming spaces for our residents, engaging them in meaningful nature-based activities, getting them outside (of their flats) & helping them to rediscover old skills/ pastimes in gardening while improving their confidence & social connections. As you can see in the pictures shared, the residents learnt to grow vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes & herbs & prepared healthier meals using them. The past projects have benefitted 30-40 residents from our mental health & learning disability services. A staff shared “Residents seemed to be benefitted from the activity; she (a resident) often appears to be shy to extend her social network, but she was seen speaking to a staff & enjoying conversation with other participants; she is working on having healthier diet & she was seen eating more vegetables.” A participant shared; he likes gardening because it’s “Relaxing. Nice way to spend a day. Good exercise, you know.”