In the current climate of stretched NHS resources, many individuals with learning difficulties or mental health issues do not receive the support they and their carers require. As a result, they may suffer from social isolation and poor mental health. Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH), as provided by Thrive and other RGWN members, is known to improve mental health in such individuals. It could therefore be an effective option to boost the provisions offered by the NHS.
Just how effectively therapeutic horticulture can improve social outcomes has been demonstrated in a recent study of Thrive’s STH programmes. Benefits to Client Gardeners, carers and volunteers were assessed over 2 years, and were expressed in monetary terms using a proxy to convert the improvements in social outcomes to a financial gain. The biggest gain was improved mental wellbeing (61% of the social value observed, corresponding to £8.6 million over 3 years), followed by improved social connection (13% of total social value). Importantly, just over half (58%) of the value gained reflected benefits experienced by Client Gardeners, while a quarter of the overall value (24%) was experienced by carers. The latter benefited from respite from care and two-thirds reported improved mental health (65%) and feeling less worried (60%) about the person they cared for.
When compared to the total investment required to run the STH programme for 3 years, the social value gained was almost 8-fold greater than the investment (£14.1 million vs £1.8 million). This suggests funding STH programmes such as Thrive’s are a good use of tax payer money, giving a return on investment of almost £8 for every £1 spent.
The Thrive study is one of several recent UK initiatives to assess the Social Return On Investment (SROI) for nature-based programmes designed to improve mental health. These studies have reported a SROI of between £3 and £7 per £1 spent, suggesting that the Thrive programmes compare favourably with other nature-based activities. These included a therapeutic green craft and horticulture programme,(Whiteley et al. 2025) nature-based activities run by The Wildlife Trusts,(Bagnall et al. 2019) an outdoor walking and climbing programme,(Makanjuola et al. 2023) and the Green Gym which provides outdoor exercise that also helps create green spaces in local communities.(NEF Consulting and TCV 2019) Together, these studies provide a strong argument for funding for organisations providing nature-based activities for individuals with learning difficulties, physical disabilities or poor mental health.
For more details, read the full report at: https://www.thrive.org.uk/files/documents/Thrive-SROI-Report_Final_201026.pdf
References
Bagnall A-M, et al. Social Return on Investment Analysis of the Health and Wellbeing Impacts of Wildlife Trust Programmes; The Wildlife Trusts: Nottinghamshire, UK, 2019; Available online: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/201909/SROI%20Report%20FINAL%20-%20DIGITAL.pdf.
Makanjuola A, Lynch M, Hartfiel N, Cuthbert A, Edwards RT. Prevention of Poor Physical and Mental Health through the Green Social Prescribing Opening Doors to the Outdoors Programme: A Social Return on Investment Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023;20.
NEF Consulting and TCV. TCV’s Impact: Organisational Social Return on Investment Summary Findings; NEF Consulting Limited: London, UK, 2015; Available online: https://www.nefconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TCV-Report-FINAL-WITH-DESIGN.pdf
Whiteley H, Lynch M, Hartfiel N et al. Health Economics-Informed Social Return on Investment (SROI) Analysis of a Nature-Based Social Prescribing Craft and Horticulture Programme for Mental Health and Well-Being. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2025;22.