Hackney City Farm was funded to deliver a six week therapeutic gardening group in collaboration with Gaia Therapy offering weekly activities that brought together a group of people struggling with acute mental health difficulties.

Hackney City Farm had partnered with Gaia Therapy to deliver therapeutic services immersed in nature prior to the pandemic, so when Covid-19 hit, they were acutely aware of the extra impact and strain this would have on those with mental health challenges. They were therefore well placed to jump into action to fill the gaps that were contributing to a building mental health crisis.

The Garden Therapy Group catered predominantly for ethnically diverse members of the community and others that experience mental health challenges but ordinarily couldn’t access other support – due to cost, NHS waiting lists, not knowing they were eligible for services, or not recognising they could get support.

I really love and enjoy the way the project is running and wish it was a bit longer. 

Nine people would meet weekly for three to four hours for six weeks. Sessions involved a combination of activities and gathering in a circle to discuss experiences around different themes each week. Activities included gardening, woodwork, conservation, beekeeping, talking and being outdoors.

Chand Starin Basi, a trained psychotherapist from Gaia Therapy project, co-facilitated the sessions with Ken Hayes, Volunteer and Education Manager at Hackney City Farm, and was available for individual conversations.