The space, which is situated at Thrive’s London centre in Battersea Park, has been created to support some of the capital’s most vulnerable people.
Founded in July 2017, Thrive LDN is a mental health partnership between the Mayor of London and London Health Board. The organisation works to provide respite for people living with a range of health conditions or disabilities, especially those with dementia and their carers.
Image: the grand opening of the new garden.
Their latest project comes in the form of a new garden, otherwise known as the Sanctuary Garden, which is situated in Battersea Park. It is comprised of fragrant blooms, foliage, herbs and vegetables. While looking beautiful, research shows that being around gardens helps reduce peoples stress and anxiety levels.
What’s more, flowers and foliage help aid memories – an aspect that is particularly beneficial for people with dementia. Research from Thrive likewise shows engagement with nature can help delay the onset of dementia and slow the illnesses’ decline.
Visitors to the garden and individuals already enrolled in Thrive programmes can participate in activities that involve planting new trees, flowers and tending to the existing vegetation.
‘At Thrive we support people to live well through gardening,’ Ben Thomas, CEO of Thrive, said. ‘The Sanctuary Garden is enabling us to support more people to improve their health and wellbeing, through spending time in nature, undertaking meaningful gardening activities and joining a positive community.’
Image: a look into the garden
This new development wouldn’t have been possible without support from the Wolfson Foundation, The National Garden Scheme and the Friends of Battersea Park, who all funded the project.
Images from Thrive
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