Questão 1423779

Garden ecotherapy: 'Here it's just easier for people to open up'

Sage Greenfingers offers horticultural therapy for people with mental health problems.

Sage Greenfingers project volunteer Bethan Robinson. Photograph: Sam Atkins

Why it started

The garden was initiated in 1996 by Pitsmoor Surgery, a progressive clinic in a disadvantaged part of Sheffield called Burngreave. Sam Challis, from Sheffield Universirty, says: ''We know that ecotherapy makes a huge difference to people with mental health problems – being active outdoors in green spaces has a positive impact on mental health''. Horticultural projects such as SAGE Greenfingers in Burngreave are hugely important in helping people recover from a mental health problem or manage their symptoms; and also play a role in preventing people developing such problems in the first place.

What happens

The garden works with people who have chronic mental health problems or disabilities, and those that haven’t been accessing any other forms of support who may have become isolated socially. The garden grows flowers, fruits, vegetables and exotic plants such as fig and olive trees.

Does the group get funding?

The garden’s director, Diana Totler, says: ''Funding is our biggest challenge. We have had small amounts of money from the city council but generally we’re very dependent on charitable trust and general public donations.''

What can you do to help?

''We’re always keen for more volunteers'' says Tottle. ''We’ve had times where it’s difficult to get enough volunteers to support what we need. You can join the Friends of Sage network to receive a newsletter about the garden, and hear of more ways to get involved or help promote the work of the garden.''

Adapted from: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/sep/18/howto- set-up-therapeutic-garden-project

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