Gardening for Wellbeing

Can I attend once or do I need to commit to attending regularly? This workshop occurs weekly on Wednesdays and we ask participants to commit to attending regularly to preserve the community feel.

What happens after I book via Eventbrite? All participants are required to complete a brief Assessment with a member of staff at the Southwark Wellbeing Hub. You will be contacted via email or phone to schedule the assessment prior to attending your first Gardening session.

What if I am not a Southwark resident? Unfortunately, this workshop is only available to residents of Southwark or those registered with Southwark GP surgeries.

Sessions take place in the River Garden and Dye Garden at Surrey Docks Farm. The Gardens are located on the Thames Path, where members of the public often pass through.

To start the session we will have a look around the Gardens, seeing what has changed during the week and how everything is getting on. We will have a look at and chat about the jobs that we could do that week.

During the sessions we plant and look after a range of fruits, vegetables and herbs, as well as a mixture of flowering plants. Tasks often include weeding and tidying the Garden, sowing seeds and planting out plants, as well as more seasonal tasks such as pruning or seed saving.

Whilst working in the Garden we use a variety of tools, including smaller tools such as hand forks, trowels and secateurs, as well as larger spades and forks. Tasks can be quite physical in nature, often requiring kneeling or bending. We do also look after a few containers as well, where work can be done upright.

We encourage everyone to wear clothes they are comfortable moving in, and don’t mind getting dirty! All participants must wear suitable footwear - something sturdy such as boots or trainers. The Farm will provide gloves.

We end our sessions with a sit down, hot drink and biscuit over conversation in the River Room, a small room neighbouring the River Garden. Often near the end of the morning we will harvest some produce that participants can take home with them.

Although we are very lucky with our weather on Wednesday mornings, we do occasionally have rainy days! On colder or wetter days, we often work on indoor tasks in the River Room. Participants are encouraged to prepare appropriately for the expected weather - whether that be with suncream, layers or a waterproof!

Our sessions have a welcoming and positive atmosphere where participants are given the opportunity to learn new skills and socialise with others in a face to face setting. Sessions are a safe space where participants are welcome to share their experiences regarding mental health.

Host or Publisher Southwark Wellbeing Hub