Life Changers is a four month programme for those living with life changing illness or injury to experience the joy of gardening in Thrive's garden in Beech Hill, near Reading. Whether recovering from a stroke, cancer or surgery, or living with a long term health condition like diabetes, multiple sclerosis or long covid, participants can experience the joy of gardening, increase their social networks and build confidence to regain or maintain an active, healthy and independent life.
The programme runs every Tuesday 10.30 - 3.30 and is free to attend.
Alongside each individual, the horticultural practitioner builds a set of gardening activities to improve the individual's general health and wellbeing, and to work towards particular goals identified by them, such as increasing stamina, mobility and balance, improving fine motor skills, increasing memory and information retention or strengthening muscles.
Typical activities include seed sowing, propagation and potting on and planting out, planting salad/herb containers to encourage healthy eating, or craft activities e.g. Christmas wreaths. No previous gardening experience required.
Those living with a life changing health condition or injury