Minster Surgery is aiming to raise £30,000 to create “Thanet’s first therapy garden.”
The site will be based within the surgery grounds and aims to “help improve the quality of life of vulnerable and isolated patients belonging to the surgery and the wider local community.”
Stuart Male is leading the project on behalf of Minster Surgery and has launched a spacehive page to raise the funds.
On it, he says: “ It is a first for the area, with there currently being no other surgeries that offer a space people can access for horticultural therapy.
“Therapeutic gardening in a supportive environment, working in conjunction with social prescribers, can be a useful tool in the fight against low mood, anxiety and social isolation. It can also help with mental and physical health and wellbeing.
“The garden will allow participants to be able to sow seeds, grow vegetables, tend to plant beds, and even make a cup of tea, have a chat and relax in a nature filled environment. With accessible paths planned throughout, we are making sure as many people as possible can enjoy this space.
“Funding for this garden is essential as this is a not for profit project and without funding simply cannot be achieved.”
The garden will include composting, companion planting, hügelkultur, rainwater harvesting. A polytunnel for year-round growing, a solar powered refreshment shed, a nature sculpture by a local artist, plants, herbs, veg, a pond, bird boxes, bug hotels, wildflower patch and a hedgehog highway.
The surgery says: “The garden will provide healing, first and foremost to patients that need some extra support whether they are suffering from isolation, overcoming some physical issues as a result of surgery or ill health and an overall place that will positively impact the mental health of all participants involved.
“We understand how important this project is to our local community. Through therapeutic horticulture participants can: Reduce depression, anxiety and stress-related symptoms Ease some symptoms of dementia, such as agitation, restlessness and associated distress Increase the ability to concentrate and engage Reduce reliance on medication Reduce self-harming behaviour.
“The benefits of sustained gardening can also increase physical health through exercise and learning how to use or strengthen muscles to improve mobility.”
The team has already raise almost £11,000 for the project and plan to have a grand opening when it is ready to be used.
