A gardening project that supports older people with their mental health has grown to new heights thanks to the dedication and fundraising efforts of staff at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
The Greenspace project is run by a group of occupational therapists within the Wolverhampton Older Adult Enhanced Community Mental Health Team, at an allotment space in Penn.
The group first started in 2020 as one of the few activities that was safe to carry outside during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, it has grown to become a vital source of community, support and fun for service users thanks to the beneficial impact of gardening on mental wellbeing and physical health.
With demand for the service growing, the team knew they needed a new shed to provide a safer, more inclusive and multi-functional space.
Louise Colman, an Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner with the team, and her son Daniel, threw themselves into fundraising for the project. Through marathon running and hula hooping, the duo raised £1,830. On top of this achievement, Greenspace received £2,988 from the Trust’s charity, Brighter Lives.
Brighter Lives supports projects that help patients, service users, families and carers across the Black Country, often during the most difficult times of their lives.
The Greenspace project makes a real impact on the lives of the people who take part, helping to build their self-esteem, social connections and overall wellbeing.
Explaining the importance of the project, the team said: “The allotment is much more than a place to grow produce, it’s a space where patients can have their feelings and emotions validated, where the focus is not on their limitations but on their strengths and potential.
“It’s person-centred at its core. Here, patients are encouraged to explore their capabilities, build confidence, and connect with others. The group provides a sense of purpose, belonging, and pride, fostering achievement through shared work and collaboration.”
The impact of gardening and being outdoors with others cannot be underestimated. Studies have shown that it can slow cognitive decline and improve wellbeing. The routine, familiarity, and tactile nature of gardening can help orient patients, while the new shed now offers a space for relaxation, mindfulness and meditation.
Greenspace continues to help people after they have been supported therapeutically by the team.
The team continued: “It has been wonderful seeing the impact this group has had on our patient group. Some have gone on to take up their own allotments, maintaining healthy habits and independence long after completing their therapeutic goals. Others met weekly for social outings including bowling, meals, or just working together at the plot.”
To celebrate the success of the group, the Greenspace team hosted an open day at the allotment site on 4th June, so that colleagues could see the project first-hand and learn how to refer their own services users into the project. Along with Louise, whose work and fundraising has been integral to the success of the project, the team behind Greenspace was comprised of Ralston Johnson, Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner, along with Occupational Therapists Bridget Poulton and Vanessa Chityo.
The team braved the rain to welcome colleagues from a range of services including the Enhanced Community Mental Health Team, Recovery College, Learning Disability Forensic Services, and teams working with young people. They offered tours of the new shed, the allotment beds, poly tunnel, and refreshment shed, followed by a chance to reflect together on developing similar therapeutic spaces throughout the Trust.
The team added: “That sense of belonging, of shared experience, has been one of the most powerful outcomes. We’re proud of what’s been built here, not just the shed, but the community, the possibilities, and the positive ripple effects. This has been a journey of commitment, perseverance, and teamwork.”