The gardening for health charity Thrive has published several case studies to highlight how therapeutic horticulture can help people improve their health. 

One of them focuses on Hilary, who developed osteoarthritis some 12 years, and was inspired to take up gardening after watching a TV programme with her granddaughter that featured a family watering plants together.

After putting her name down on a waiting list for an allotment, Hilary was allocated half a flat and sunny plot – ideal for someone with arthritis in her shoulder, knees and hands.

A day of celebration

Thrive is promoting World Therapeutic Horticulture Day (WTHD) – a global day of awareness and celebration that aims to to highlight how therapeutic horticulture can help people improve their health – which takes place on 18 May. The image above shows a team of Thrive gardeners in action.

Thrive chief executive Ben Thomas says: ‘We see the health benefits of gardening in our gardens every day. We are also pleased to support professionals to deliver social and therapeutic horticulture (STH). Together we enable thousands of people to transform their health.’

Other case studies published by Thrive focus on people living with musculoskeletal, mental health, and respiratory conditions and who those with dementia or who are recovering from a stroke. Thrive is convinced that STH provides a sustainable route to recovery, rehabilitation and overall wellbeing and that GPs and other healthcare professionals agree. 

Allotment ‘promotes community spirit‘

‘For other people living with arthritis and interested in starting or returning to gardening, I’d say “go for it!” I think gardening can help anyone with a physical or mental health condition’ [Hilary]

Hilary discovered that there is a great community spirit at the allotments. She has grown an abundance of tomatoes and courgettes. Hilary’s granddaughter is a regular visitor to the allotment and now has her own small wheelbarrow and watering can. She enjoys watering Hilary’s and other people’s plants, and is learning a lot about the wildlife.

The allotment has been good for Hilary’s mental wellbeing – it’s her own private space where she can sit and relax. ‘Gardening has been great for both my mental and physical health,’ she says.

‘Go for it!’

‘For other people living with arthritis and interested in starting or returning to gardening, I’d say “go for it!” I think gardening can help anyone with a physical or mental health condition,’ Hilary adds.

On 10 June, the charity will hold a series of webinars that will, among other issues, offer information on STH training courses

Visit www.thrive.org.uk/world-therapeutic-horticulture-day to find out more about the STH, World Therapeutic Horticulture Day and the careers in STH webinar.