"It makes me feel better looking after and getting my hands in the soil"
"I don't know that many people in the area and lockdown has made me feel really isolated so knowing this group is happening is really good"
"I really enjoy taking part in the Green Minds sessions, It really helps with my anxiety levels and it gets me out of the house too keeping busy"
- Green Minds gardening group members
At Green Minds we provide a weekly space for Social & Therapeutic Horticulture with a group of members who come and volunteer their time on projects that help regenerate areas of green space within the local community. Currently our gardening group are working on developing a new communal food growing space and wildlife garden within the grounds of Brecon Cathedral. Between lockdowns and with the support from the Brecon Beacons Sustainable Development & Heritage Lottery Funds we have been able to continue to come together in small groups to keep the sessions running which has helped to alleviate some of the mental health challenges our group members have experienced during the pandemic.
The gardening sessions have provided a sense of routine and calm in an otherwise turbulent time. The sessions have helped to reduce some of the social isolation within our community and have given us all a sense of belonging and purpose throughout such a difficult year. Although its been a chilly start to spring the Green Minds Cathedral garden spaces are beginning to blossom and we look forward to expanding our sessions and growing spaces as we head into summer.
So what is Social & Therapeutic Horticulture?
" Social and therapeutic horticulture is the process of using plants and gardens to improve physical and mental health, as well as communication and thinking skills. Social and therapeutic horticulture uses the garden as a safe and secure place to develop someone's ability to mix socially, make friends and learn practical skills that will help them to be more independent"
- Thrive
At Green Minds we offer a range of gardening activities throughout the seasons and we support our group members to nurture their connection to the garden at their own pace. We believe that when we begin to nurture the earth we begin to nurture ourselves. We develop this connection in many different ways such as learning about soil health, raising and growing plants from seed, taking ownership of the growing spaces and of course enjoying the fruits and flowers of our labour. Its very easy to launch into the many gardening jobs we have, especially at this time of year when so much needs to happen at once, but we approach our sessions in an intentional and gentle way and always create space for listening, sharing and reflection.
Next time you are passing Brecon Cathedral do pop by and see what our group members have been working so lovingly on over the past year :-)
Slow Gardening - A therapeutic practice to try for yourself
What would it be like to give ourselves the time and space to just pause in the garden, without judgment or working towards a goal?
Our gardens can become a constant to-do list and a place we rarely get to just 'be' in. Our gardens are in a constant state of change and evolution, responding and rewarding us with their growth and renewal, moments in time we often miss in our busying about. So today why not try putting some time aside, say 10-15 minutes to just wander around the garden and see what you might notice? Don't worry if you don't have a garden you can still try this practice. Stand somewhere where you can observe a patch of garden or green space and see where your eyes take you instead.
After your wander take some time to jot down any observations, perhaps any new buds forming and flowering, the detail of a leaf you hadn't noticed before, the different birds visiting the garden.
Ask yourself how it felt to gift yourself this time to just wander? Was it a challenge to let go of the need to be 'doing' ? or did you enjoy it?
If you can, keep practicing this simple act of garden observation, how does it change your relationship to the garden and the changing seasons?
Extend or shorten the time according to what you feel you can manage :-)
The gardening sessions have provided a sense of routine and calm in an otherwise turbulent time. The sessions have helped to reduce some of the social isolation within our community and have given us all a sense of belonging and purpose throughout such a difficult year. Although its been a chilly start to spring the Green Minds Cathedral garden spaces are beginning to blossom and we look forward to expanding our sessions and growing spaces as we head into summer.
So what is Social & Therapeutic Horticulture?
" Social and therapeutic horticulture is the process of using plants and gardens to improve physical and mental health, as well as communication and thinking skills. Social and therapeutic horticulture uses the garden as a safe and secure place to develop someone's ability to mix socially, make friends and learn practical skills that will help them to be more independent"
- Thrive
At Green Minds we offer a range of gardening activities throughout the seasons and we support our group members to nurture their connection to the garden at their own pace. We believe that when we begin to nurture the earth we begin to nurture ourselves. We develop this connection in many different ways such as learning about soil health, raising and growing plants from seed, taking ownership of the growing spaces and of course enjoying the fruits and flowers of our labour. Its very easy to launch into the many gardening jobs we have, especially at this time of year when so much needs to happen at once, but we approach our sessions in an intentional and gentle way and always create space for listening, sharing and reflection.
Next time you are passing Brecon Cathedral do pop by and see what our group members have been working so lovingly on over the past year :-)
Slow Gardening - A therapeutic practice to try for yourself
What would it be like to give ourselves the time and space to just pause in the garden, without judgment or working towards a goal?
Our gardens can become a constant to-do list and a place we rarely get to just 'be' in. Our gardens are in a constant state of change and evolution, responding and rewarding us with their growth and renewal, moments in time we often miss in our busying about. So today why not try putting some time aside, say 10-15 minutes to just wander around the garden and see what you might notice? Don't worry if you don't have a garden you can still try this practice. Stand somewhere where you can observe a patch of garden or green space and see where your eyes take you instead.
After your wander take some time to jot down any observations, perhaps any new buds forming and flowering, the detail of a leaf you hadn't noticed before, the different birds visiting the garden.
Ask yourself how it felt to gift yourself this time to just wander? Was it a challenge to let go of the need to be 'doing' ? or did you enjoy it?
If you can, keep practicing this simple act of garden observation, how does it change your relationship to the garden and the changing seasons?
Extend or shorten the time according to what you feel you can manage :-)