Members of the Reading Green Wellbeing Network
We are a network of local community gardens, horticultural therapy groups, and nature-based activity providers who offer activities to improve people’s wellbeing in and around Reading. New members welcome. Please check our Criteria for Membership
Read Our Story to find out how and why we started the network.
You can see videos about some of the Members on our YouTube channel.
British Islamic Gardens
British Islamic Gardens is a volunteer-led community gardening group open to all the public. We run 6 free drop in gardening sessions per week at 2 sites:
- London Road, Reading
- Northumberland Ave, Whitley
Gardening gloves provided.
Contact | Shaheen |
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info@bigardens.org | |
Phone | 07534 404200 |
Website | http://www.bigardens.org/ |
Locations | Aisha Masjid & Islamic Centre |
Works with | Autistic people Depression Older people Families Isolated people Adults South Reading East Reading |
Five a Day Garden
Five a Day Garden in Englefield is full of flowers, vegetables and fruit, all grown by volunteers. We welcome people seeking an active role in the garden as part of their recovery from depression and other mental health issues.
info@fiveaday.org.uk | |
Phone | 07555 184 343 |
Website | https://fiveaday.org.uk/ |
Locations | Five a Day Garden |
Works with | Depression Mental Health Issues Older people Isolated people Adults |
Food4families
Food4families is a project of RISC. We run free, inclusive tutor-led gardening sessions from our Network of Community Gardens across Reading for local people to improve their health and wellbeing, open up opportunities to work, break down language barriers and be supported in growing their own fruit and veg locally.
Contact | Beth Scott |
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food4families@risc.org.uk | |
Phone | 0118 958 6692 |
Website | https://www.food4families.org.uk |
Locations | Lavender Place Community Gardens Whitley GrowAllot Southcote GrowAllot Holy Brook Nook Erleigh Road Community Garden NHS Staff Health and Wellbeing Centre Gardens Weller Centre Garden |
Works with | Older people Families Isolated people Adults Weekend North Reading South Reading West Reading Central Reading Carers |
Green Health Thames Valley
Green Health Thames Valley provides horticultural therapy for people struggling with mental health difficulties. We work with small numbers of clients to help them become more involved in the community and achieve a happier and more fulfilled life. The project runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
info@greenhealththamesvalley.org.uk | |
Phone | 07450 334091 |
Website | https://greenhealththamesvalley.org.uk/ |
Locations | Well Centre, Whitley Green Health Thames Valley |
Works with | Mental Health Issues South Reading |
Integrated Research and Development Centre (IRDC)
Integrated Research and Development Centre (IRDC) Berkshire UK CIC is a non-profit local community interest company. IRDC helps mental health and wellbeing of people with supported gardening and training. We lead health walks, stretching and breathing exercises to restore fitness, calm and relaxation as well as conducting participatory research work with local communities.
irdcberks@gmail.com | |
Phone | 07939 665 482 |
Nature Nuture
Nature Nurture is on a mission to support wellbeing and wildlife by connecting people with the parks, woodlands and waterways on their doorsteps. We deliver Green Social Prescribing programmes including Walking for Wellbeing, Conservation activities and school programmes in Reading's green spaces.
Contact | Natalie |
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natalie@nature-nurture.co.uk | |
Phone | 0118 950 2764 |
Website | https://nature-nurture.co.uk/ |
Locations | Lavender Place Community Gardens Holy Brook Nook |
Path Hill Outdoors
Adventure and Education for young people and adults
Contact | Nicky Culetto |
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Website | https://pathhill.com/ |
Locations | Path Hill Outdoors |
Works with | Adults |
Ridgeline Trust
Ridgeline Trust provides horticultural therapy sessions at our beautiful garden in East Reading. We support people with mental health issues, learning difficulties and physical disabilities. Through our sessions we enable people to rebuild confidence and reduce levels of stress and anxiety.
Contact | Siân Hooley |
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admin@ridgelinetrust.org.uk | |
Phone | 07535 636 018 |
Website | https://ridgelinetrust.org.uk/ |
Locations | Ridgeline Trust Therapeutic Garden |
Works with | Mental Health Issues Learning Difficulties Physical Disabilities East Reading |
The Museum of English Rural Life
The Museum of English Rural Life provides growing spaces for local community groups to take part in gardening projects and supported gardening sessions inspired by The MERL collections to support health, wellbeing and creativity. The MERL gardening groups are supported by the Assistant Volunteer Coordinator for Garden Projects and The MERL garden volunteer team.
merlevents@reading.ac.uk | |
Phone | 0118 378 8660 |
Website | https://merl.reading.ac.uk/ |
Locations | The MERL |
Works with | Central Reading |
Thrive
We use gardening to bring about positive changes in the lives of people living with disabilities or ill health. Our peaceful, beautiful walled garden in Beech Hill is the perfect setting for sessions of social and therapeutic horticulture. We also provide a range of training for individuals and professionals as well as an information service for anyone needing support to garden with a disability or long-term health condition.
trunkwell@thrive.org.uk | |
Phone | 0118 988 4844 |
Website | https://www.thrive.org.uk/ |
Locations | Thrive |
Works with | Autistic people Depression Mental Health Issues Learning Difficulties Physical Disabilities Older people Isolated people Adults Dementia Learning Disabilities |
AutAngel Allotment Group (Associate member)
Autangel Allotment Group is a peer-support allotment group in East Reading for autistic people.
Contact | Caroline Hearst |
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info@autangel.org.uk | |
Phone | 07718 882 792 |
Website | https://www.autangel.org.uk/community/#ourgroups |
Locations | AutAngel Allotment |
Works with | Autistic people |
BBOWT (Associate member)
Local wildlife trust
Contact | Fiona Meere-Bennett |
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fionabennett-meere@bbowt.org.uk | |
Website | https://www.bbowt.org.uk/ |
Funsa (Associate member)
Funsa offers accredited Forest School and Outdoor Learning training and provision as well as community education events.
Phone | 0118 926 1906 / 07771 605 825 |
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Website | https://www.funsa.co.uk/ |
Reading Food Growing Network (Associate member)
Reading Food Growing Network is for any groups or individuals in the wider Reading area who are interested in the local growing of fruit and vegetables. The network organises events such as seed and plant swaps, garden visits and talks.
Contact | Beth Scott |
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secretary@readingfoodgrowingnetwork.org.uk | |
Website | https://www.readingfoodgrowingnetwork.org.uk |