Five a Day Gardens
What we do
Five a Day is a large garden that welcomes people of all ages from the local community, and runs a weekly session, Thyme Together, specifically for the over 65s. Five a Day aims to improve individuals’ well-being by providing horticultural education, horticultural therapy and access to naturally-grown produce. Five a Day welcomes almost 1800 children a year to the garden to learn all about healthy eating, how food is grown, and the importance of wildlife to the biodiversity of our environment.
Five a Day is situated in the village of Englefield, near Theale, West Berkshire. The sunny site is perfect for growing fruit, flowers and vegetables which dominate the activities of the garden. Five a Day also grows willow and hazel that are harvested for willow weaving, bean poles and pea sticks. The site includes two large polytunnels, enabling sessions to continue throughout the year. However, the site is not easily accessible by public transport.
Sessions
Thyme Together sessions, specifically for the over 65s, are held on Thursday mornings (10 am to 12 noon) and Thursday afternoons (1–3 pm) in the garden during the summer and in the large polytunnel over the winter. This is a friendly group that focuses on activities in a garden environment that enhance health and wellbeing. It incorporates many aspects of therapeutic horticulture and is open to individuals facing issues such as limited mobility, sensory impairment, cognitive issues, and feelings of social isolation.
Additionally, Five a Day holds regular volunteer sessions for adults, Tuesday to Friday, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm. In these friendly, flexible sessions, volunteers learn about and help maintain the garden. All sessions are free; new volunteers are welcome.
Five a Day also holds monthly workshops on a variety of topics, such as willow weaving , pumpkin carving and craft activities during the warmer months of the year. See Sessions and events or the Five a Day website for details.
Join us
For further information or to attend a session, see the Five a Day website, or email Five a Day: info@fiveaday.org.uk or ring 07555 184343
