A social enterprise growing and selling perennial plants ......A potential health centre project:...

A social enterprise growing and selling perennial plants and herbs to fund community programs within the garden and the local community that help

people engage with the natural environment

ENGAGING IN GREEN INTERVENTIONS

Contributing to long-term resilience in the community through:

• Providing space and infrastructure: a well loved garden accessible to diverse local community groups.

• Encouraging active participation: workshops, programs, training, social connection for all generations.

• Applying principles of therapeutic horticulture: using plants and gardens to improve physical and mental health, as well as communication and

thinking skills.

WHAT IS RESEARCH TELLING US?

Social return on investment analysis of the health and wellbeing impacts of Wildlife Trust programmes found:

• for every £1 invested in specialised health or social needs projects that connect people to nature, there is a £6.88 social return.

• For every £1 invested in regular nature volunteering projects, which help create healthy lifestyles by tackling problems such as physical inactivity or loneliness there is a £8.50 social return.

WHAT IS RESEARCH TELLING US?

Study by the European Centre for Environment and Human Health at the University of Exeter shows that:

• People who were not exposed to green spaces were less likely to adopt green behaviours, such as recycling.

• Reconnecting with nature 'triggers' eco-actions and may promote sustainable behaviours

Environment International Volume 136, March 2020, 105441

BUILDING COMMUNITY

“I am looking forward to returning to the garden and seeing it grow and develop, it is really exciting, although I am aware that there is a lot of hard work ahead….. it has helped me more than I can put adequately into words. I have met some lovely people, and feel part of something wonderful.”

TAKING AN ECOSYSTEM APPROACH

Use of permaculture principles from the values to the planting to the planning:

• observe and interact;

• catch and store energy;

• obtain a yield;

• embrace evaluation and feedback;

• use and value renewables;

• produce little waste;

• use and value diversity both biologically and on a social level;

• use small, slow solutions;

• integrate don’t segregate both in the garden systems and with communities;

• use edges and value the marginal;

• creatively use and respond to change;

• sustainable- financially and environmentally.

CO-CREATING CHANGE A potential health centre project: • social prescribing opportunity

combining community gardening and useful self-care support.

• social and interactive without inequality barriers.

• Safe traditional remedies with evidence of efficacy, for minor self-limiting conditions or to relieve chronic problems, positively improve health and wellbeing.

• active gardening group among patients and staff.

• Workshops/education. • Community engagement.

WALLED GARDEN NURSERY

https://www.thrive.org.uk/get-involved/donate/become-a-friend/growth-point/writing-a-new-chapter-in-medieval-walled-gardens-history

Community Interest Company:

Cultivating Community C.I.C 12114130

01373 812597

thewalledgardenatmells@gmail.com

https://www.thewalledgardenatmells.co.uk/plant-nursery

Dr Sam Evans, Director