#horatiosgarden – Gardening4Health

It was a wonderful day of learning, sharing, and connecting yesterday at the Serge Hill Project.

Sue Stuart-Smith gave the keynote speech: it was at the same time beautiful, educational, and inspiring – and the tone was set.

Arit Anderson and Keely Siddiqui-Charlick followed, moving us seamlessly from laughter to tears, as they showed us how projects like Sunnyside can impact people, gardens, communities, and the planet, and how anything’s possible if you have enough cake!

Richard Claxton gave a brief update on Gardening4Health and our plans now we’re officially a charity.

Next up was Ruth Madder from brilliant Bridewell gardens – an in-depth look at working as a Social and Therapeutic Horticulture practitioner.

After a yummy lunch with time both for chat and wandering in the stunning Barn Garden and Plant Library, Kurosh Davis brought us back to calm and focus with a stunning solo performance of Bach on the viola.

Then came an afternoon of immersion into Horatio’s Garden – Olivia Chapple – founder and Chair of Trustees spoke about their incredible journey, before interviewing Joe Darrell. Joe’s been a patient in both the Glasgow and Stanmore spinal units. With modesty, humour, and honesty, his story will leave a profound impression on all who heard him.

Tom Stuart-Smith described the challenges of designing the Stanmore garden and illustrated the beautiful and functional space it has become, and then head gardener and horticultural therapist Ashley Edwards explained the many ways the space is used, and the phenomenal impact it can have.

Horatio’s Garden is not just about the gardens. It’s shone a spotlight on just how dehumanising our healthcare system – both in terms of its space and its processes – can become. The gardens in many different ways are showing us a better way forward for holistic healthcare.

Thank you Millie Souter and Derek Hunter for the garden tours, and an especially big thank you to Becky Fincham for masterminding the day for us. It ran without a hitch.

Lastly, thanks to Tom and Sue; the Safe Green Space they’ve created here was the perfect setting for such a brilliant day.

Monday at Tuppenny Barn – a very special day of connection and learning, both in person and online.

Extraordinary speakers and wonderful delegates. All together helping each other navigate the pathway towards the universal provision of Nature-based Therapies.

Within this wonderful healing and growing space; a day suffused with the Tuppenny ethos of sustainability, humility, sharing, and care.

It’s been such a privilege to be able to combine forces organising it all, with Annie Guilfoyle and Maggie Haynes. Both are truly inspirational people.

Horatio's Garden Chair of Trustees - Olivia Chapple

So many fabulous people to thank, but I wanted to single out Arit Anderson and Annie, for steering us through the day so deftly. Plus Maggie, Rosemary, and the formidable Team Tuppenny, who combine thoughtfulness, kindness with (at times ruthless!) efficency.

Keely Siddiqui Chadwick - Sunnyside Rural Trust

Also, to acknowledge that the event couldn’t have gone ahead without the support of all of our generous sponsors – Alitex, British Garden Centres, Garden Masterclass, Natural England, and Westland. And Monty 🐕.

Gardening4Health

Tag: #horatiosgarden

The Safe Green Space: Gardens and Health.

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