Green Health Thames Valley (GHTV) is a Reading-based charity dedicated to providing horticultural therapy to individuals in need of mental health and wellbeing support. We offer a range of services, from short-term interventions to long-term support, all in the tranquil setting of our community garden in Whitley, Reading.
Led by an experienced Horticultural Therapist and a team of volunteers, we work with members of the community who have experience of mental health challenges, or who are recovering from or at risk of mental health difficulties, social isolation and socio-economic exclusion. We help people to manage their condition, gain new transferable skills, improve social inclusion and to gain confidence.
We work in a number of ways. Members of the group may start with one-to-one teaching, and if comfortable, may then graduate to small groups, usually containing a maximum of 4 people. Our Horticultural Therapist teaches horticulture skills at a pace that suits the individual, and we use the recovery star model to guide our wider wellbeing support.
Throughout the day, which typically lasts from 10am to 4pm, we have regular breaks with hot drinks and snacks, and share a lunch. By arrangement, people can come for a morning, an afternoon, a full day – and for as many days of the week that suit them, depending on our opening times and the season.
See our video for more details on our work and our garden: Green Health Thames Valley Video