Our members run nature-based activities in the Greater Reading Area
Member organisations
Our members and associate members offer a range of nature-based activities, including therapeutic horticulture, community gardening, gardening sessions and nature connection activities. See below for details of our members and associate members.
To find out more about the regular sessions and events run by members, see Sessions and Event.
Members
British Islamic Gardens
British Islamic Gardens 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.
Erleigh Road Community Garden
Erleigh Road Community Garden welcomes individuals from the local community to volunteer at this garden tucked away behind St Luke’s parish hall on Erleigh Road.
Volunteers enjoy meeting, chatting and working together in the garden under the guidance of the garden tutor.
Five a Day Garden
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.
Food4families Gardens
Food4families has a network of community gardens across Reading where local people are encouraged and supported to join in, and to grow fruit and vegetables, with the emphasis on sustainability and having fun.
Green Health Thames Valley
Green Health Thames Valley prides itself on providing support for individuals with mental health issues through a tailored programme of horticulture-based activities. Using one-to-one sessions and small-group work, as well as target-setting and self-evaluation tools, individuals learn to manage their condition, gain new transferable skills, make friends and gain confidence.
Integrated Research and Development Centre
Integrated Research and Development Centre is a non-profit local community interest company that promotes mental health and wellbeing with supported gardening, walks, and exercise classes to restore fitness, and encourage relaxation.
For more information, email: irdcberks@gmail.com or ring: 07939 665482
The Museum of English Rural Life
The Museum of English Rural Life, part of Reading University, runs a weekly session with its garden volunteers, the Wednesday Wheelbarrows, and provides supported gardening sessions for local community groups to promote health, wellbeing and creativity. The museum garden is a green oasis in the middle of Reading and is open to everyone during museum opening hours.
Nature Nurture
Nature Nurture aims to bring urban communities and nature together to create places where wildlife and people thrive.
Nature Nurture’s green social prescribing programmes include ‘Walking for Wellbeing’ and conservation sessions, where participants help look after local nature. Nature Nurture also provides community events in Reading’s parks and woodlands, to help raise awareness of how these spaces support our health and wellbeing.
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!
Ridgeline Trust
Ridgeline therapeutic garden uses gardening and connecting with nature to improve mental health and wellbeing. Horticultural therapy sessions at their beautiful garden in East Reading can benefit people with mental health issues, physical disabilities, learning difficulties and more. Sessions are led by horticultural therapists with support from volunteers.
Thrive
Thrive is a “gardening for health” charity that helps to improve people's physical and mental health through gardening and horticulture. At its centre in Beech Hill, just outside Reading, Thrive offers calm, safe spaces for people to connect with nature and with others, through group gardening sessions facilitated by a trained practitioner.
Associate members
Autangel Allotment Group
Autangel Allotment Group is a peer-support allotment group in East Reading for autistic people.
For more information, email: info@autangel.org.uk
BBOWT
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) works to bring about nature’s recovery by inspiring and empowering local people and partners to help bring nature back. to where people are living and improve nature connectedness for everyone.
For more information, see the BBOWT website, email: teamwilder@bbowt.org.uk or ring: 07518 297896
Funsa
Funsa offers accredited Forest School and Outdoor Learning training and provision.
For more information, see the Funsa website.
Reading Food Growing Network
Reading Food Growing Network is for any groups or individuals in the Greater Reading area interested in the local growing of fruit and vegetables. The network organises events such as seed and plant swaps, garden visits and talks.
For more information, see the Reading Food Growing Network website.
Join us
If your organisation offers nature-based activities in the Greater Reading Area and would be interested in joining our network, get in touch below and we will get back to you
