The Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity, and Health, is a not-for-profit initiative based on the understanding that working with nature can radically transform people’s health and wellbeing. The aim is to foster community inclusion through gardening and other forms of creativity.
We are excited to announce a new one-day symposium at The Serge Hill Project: A Safe Green Space: the Landscape of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture.
‘Therapeutic horticulture is usually based on principles of organic cultivation. The focus is on environmental sustainability as well as the psychological sustainability that comes from providing people with what they need in order to grow.’ - Dr Sue Stuart-Smith, The Well Gardened Mind
The Safe Green Space: the Landscape of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture is a one-day symposium which explores the current and future landscapes of social therapeutic horticulture and social prescribing hosted by the Serge Hill Project in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Horticulture’s STH Group.
The day brings together an inspiring group of leading names from across the industry to examine the current landscape of social and therapeutic horticulture and to map its future; from accreditation to funding, from freelance practitioners to community projects, from pay to best practice.
Join us to hear from a distinguished group of experts across panel discussions, case studies and presentations:
- Molly Aldham (Natural Environment, National Lead, National Academy for Social Prescribing)
- Anna Baker Creswell (Trustee, Gardening4Health)
- Helen Bridle (Partnerships Manager, Defence Gardens Scheme)
- Dr Richard Claxton (CEO, National Garden Scheme)
- Sarah Galvin (Head of National Community Programmes, RHS)
- Linda Petrons (Director of Fundraising and Communications, Greenfingers)
- Keely Siddiqui Charlick (CEO Sunnyside Rural Trust)
- Dr Honey Smith (Director Greener Practice)
- Dr Sue Stuart-Smith (Co-Founder, The Serge Hill Project)
- Ben Thomas (CEO Thrive)
- Madeleine Thomas (STH practitioner)
- Lucy Thorpe (Regional Coordinator for London, Defence Gardens Scheme)
This event is unmissable for social therapeutic horticulture practitioners, social prescribers, gardeners, occupational therapists, GPs, community projects, charities, not-for-profits and anyone with an interest in the power and potential of social therapeutic horticulture.
‘Gardening is unique amongst the creative therapies in drawing on the power of nature’s growth and in the extent to which it brings together the emotional, physical, social, vocational and spiritual aspects of life.
Some of the benefits of gardening derive from the focus on caring for plants, others from the direct influence of green nature on our nervous systems. The safe green space of a garden is calming which reduces stress and helps promote human connection.’
— Sue Stuart-Smith
Support Us
At a time when the therapeutic benefits of horticulture are so clear and cuts to social care are so common, this project will provide a space to heal. We envisage the development of the community garden as a whole team effort, with designers and volunteers coming together to create a space that will help people experience the mental and physical health and wellbeing benefits of gardens and gardening.
Explore The Plant Library
Members of The Plant Library have access to a database of more than 1500 different varieties of mainly herbaceous plants. This is a unique and extensive educational and well-being resource for anyone interested in plants and planting design.