Essex based charity launch Growing Together therapeutic gardening project in Vange, Basildon.
The new Growing Together therapeutic gardening project in Basildon will open later this year, offering valuable wellbeing support to the community!
The Growing Together project was originally founded in 2000, and aims to improve mental health and wellbeing for vulnerable and disadvantaged adults using therapeutic gardening and positive activities. The Growing Together gardens provide a safe and welcoming green space to access support, and a programme of engaging activities to empower local adults with mental health problems and mild learning disabilities. To date, Trust Links currently have award-winning Growing Together gardens in Westcliff, Rochford, Shoeburyness and Thundersley, and recently opened a fifth garden in Cressing Temple in Braintree.
Thanks to funding from partners including Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group, the National Lottery Community Fund, Essex County Council, Active Essex and Mid & South Essex NHS, the newest garden is being developed between Spring and Autumn 2022. The one acre garden is situated behind Vange Hill Community Centre on Vange Hill Drive. The garden offers a large space for members to connect and benefit from horticultural activities and wellbeing support from the expert Trust Links team.
Matt King, CEO of Trust Links said: “After several years of development, I am delighted that the Growing Together Basildon therapeutic community garden is opening in Vange soon. We are so excited for the community to come and enjoy the garden, which will be an inclusive, welcoming and supportive space. We are so grateful to the support of our partners and funders for helping to make this project possible.”
One current Growing Together member said: “Without Growing Together’s help and support I have, I hate to say it but I probably wouldn’t be alive. My keyworker and the staff always give me a chance and it’s like family. It’s because of them that I can turn it around, they are positive and helpful even when I’m not fair.”
Matt Parsonage, Head of Communities at Clarion Futures, said: “Trust Links have been doing some great work across South East Essex through their Growing Together programme, and we’re delighted to be supporting the new garden in Vange. By working in partnership, an underused piece of land will be transformed into a new community space that will help improve the mental health and wellbeing of local residents through therapeutic gardening activities. We look forward to seeing the garden come to life over the coming months, making a real difference to the local community.”
Trust Links will be accepting professional and personal referrals into Growing Together Basildon once the project officially launches later in the year.
