The very model of a modern Therapy Garden

Tuppenny barn, in Southbourne – near Chichester, is deeply rooted in education, organic horticulture and sustainability. In the last four years it has branched in a big way into therapeutic horticulture.

Groups visit to work with Social and Horticultural Therapists, connecting with nature in a safe and supported space – improving their physical and mental health – as well as learning new skills and problem solving. All the while mixing with others, making friends , and in no small way helping to enhance the biodiversity and ecologic health and sustainability of their neighbourhood, and beyond.

Groups include those for people with mental health problems, brain injuries and chronic neurological conditions, homelessness or other vulnerabilities, female Veterans, Young Carers – to name but a few.

All of this is the brainchild of Maggie Haynes – a Veteran herself, and her vision and energy have driven the centre forward, broadening its activities, and thus its importance to its community.

She also has the tidiest shed I’ve ever seen, of which she is rightly proud!

It was a pleasure to meet her, and have a guided tour of the Garden yesterday; a fundraising day in the shape of a Garden Clinic, where punters like us could come along and get our gardening queries answered by no less than Annie Guilfoyle, and Ben Pope.

It was great to meet all three – and especially to chat with Maggie – who’s built the reality of what so many of us dream of – and talk about the obstacles we face in turning universal STH into a national reality, and how to overcome them.

https://www.tuppennybarn.co.uk/