Thrive, the gardening for health charity, runs Life Changers, a free, four-month gardening programme for those living with a life-changing illness or injury to enable them to improve their health and wellbeing. Whether recovering from a stroke, cancer or surgery, or living with a long-term condition like diabetes, multiple sclerosis or Long Covid, people experiencing a life-changing health condition can experience the joy of gardening, build new friendships and increase social networks and build confidence to regain or maintain an active, healthy and independent life.
The programme will start again in Spring 2025. The first course received incredibly positive feedback
“This amazing course has enabled me to take on a much more confident mindset. The combination of learning and socialising is the perfect balance, and I believe Life Changers have got this absolutely accurate and I can see the benefit to a vast range of clients who attend this course.”
“Gardening and being part of Life Changers has improved my sense of wellbeing. The group are so inclusive, and (the practitioner), Nina makes the activities interesting and is very motivating.”
Typical activities include seed sowing, propagation and potting on and planting out, planting salad/herb containers to encourage healthy eating, or craft activities e.g. Christmas wreaths. No previous gardening experience required.
How Life Changers makes a difference:
- 100% spent more time gardening or outside
- 75% socialised more with others
- 80% increased or restored their confidence
- 80% been happier or improved their mental well-being
- 60% improved their physical health
Tuesday 10.30-3.30 at our gardens in Beech Hill, Reading RG7 2AT
For more information and to book tel 0118 988 4844 or email Trunkwell@thrive.org.uk or look on our website.