News
Spotlight on ... British Islamic Gardens
British Islamic Gardens (BIG) is a volunteer-led community gardening group that welcomes members of the public to join their free gardening sessions. The group aims to grow plants in harmony with the environment, promoting sustainability and encouraging community cohesion.
BIG is based at the Aisha Masjid, on London Road, Earley, where they are developing and maintaining a garden around the mosque building. This includes raised beds – used to grow vegetables – a collection of fruit trees and soft fruits, and decorative borders. Sessions are led by garden-lead volunteers and are based on the seasonal activities relevant to the garden Specific projects may be organised from time to time. Produce is shared with the volunteers and with people attending the mosque.
Sessions are held in the morning – 10 am to 12 noon – on Tuesdays to Thursdays and Saturdays, and run throughout the year, weather permitting. The site has only limited shelter, so sessions may be cancelled if the weather is unsuitable. It is therefore a good idea to get in touch before going for the first time, to check a session is running.
BIG is open to adults – including older individuals; families – including children under supervision; and individuals with mild mental health issues, including autism and depression.
For further information or to attend a session, email: info@bigardens.org or ring 07534 404200.
Spotlight on ... Green Health Thames Valley
Green Health Thames Valley (GHTV) prides itself on providing support for individuals with mental health issues through a tailored programme of horticulture-based activities.
Based at a secluded community garden in Whitley, South Reading, GHTV supports individuals who are recovering from or are at risk of mental health difficulties, social isolation and socio-economic exclusion. Using one-to-one sessions and small group work, as well as target-setting and self-evaluation tools, these individuals learn to manage their condition, gain new transferable skills, make friends and gain confidence.
Sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. People may attend morning and/or afternoon sessions, one or both days a week. GHTV is easily accessible by public transport and there is parking on site.
Sessions are run by an experienced practitioner, supported by an administrator and a number of volunteers. The garden has a large polytunnel and wood-cabin office, enabling sessions to be run throughout the year.
Individuals interested in attending may be referred by social prescribers, GPs or other healthcare professionals or may apply directly by completing the online referral form. Sessions are free. Volunteers interested in helping in the garden or fundraising should get in touch by email.
Spotlight on ... Path Hill Outdoors
Path Hill Outdoors is an education centre set in beautiful beech woodland, a few miles north of Reading. The aim of the organisation is to provide positive experiences in nature to support the health, wellbeing and personal growth of people of all ages.
Path Hill runs a successful alternative provision programme for children that find mainstream school challenging, as well as woodland-based sessions and experiences for community groups, businesses, charities, school groups, families, and more!
Alongside these activities, Path Hill offers a range of nature-based wellbeing programmes for adults with a focus on supporting physical and mental health, connecting with nature, and combating isolation through meeting new people and forming communities. There is currently a weekly group for people living with Long Covid, which runs on Wednesday mornings between 10 am and 12. Activities include gentle woodland walks, nature crafts, gardening, mindfulness, relaxation, and more.
Sessions are held in a beautiful clearing in the woods, which has a shelter, fire pit, toilets, and a cabin with wood burning stove. Transport into the woods can be arranged for those with reduced mobility. Sessions are free, but booking is essential. Please email to book: nicky@pathhill.com
The team at Path Hill is always happy to be approached with new ideas and projects to support wellbeing through nature connection. If you would like to talk about a wellbeing session in the woods for a group, please get in touch on email: contact@pathhill.com, or by phone: 0118 9842500
