“Nature is life. It underpins everything we do. It provides us with clean air, food, water and shelter. It regulates our climate and controls disease. Beyond this, it is central to recreational, cultural, social and spiritual aspects of human life. It is fundamental to our health and wellbeing.” 1
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s easy to overlook the impact our surroundings have on our mental wellbeing. From the air we breathe to the spaces where we live, the environment plays a crucial role in shaping the way we feel and our overall mental health.
Natural England has kindly provided us with a grant of £1000 to develop our Garden for Mind, for the community and local environment. Natural England are an organisation who aim to conserve and enhance the natural environment, for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people and the economic prosperity that it brings. Natural England’s strategic outcomes are:
- A healthy natural environment – England’s natural environment will be conserved and enhanced.
- People are inspired to value and conserve the natural environment – more people are inspired to enjoy, understand and act for the natural environment.
- Sustainable use of the natural environment – the use and management of the environment is more sustainable.
- A secure environmental future – decisions that collectively secure the future of the natural environment.
Garden for Mind and Natural England have the same fundamental goals, when it comes to the environment, the wellbeing of the community and aligned values in sustainability. The aim of Garden for Mind is to design and develop a beautiful and inspirational education, health and wellbeing garden on a currently unused piece of land at the Longstock Park Nursery, on the Waitrose & Partners Leckford Estate. This ties in beautifully with the aims of Natural England.
Garden for Mind is a fundraising initiative to create a new space to support our mission to empower anyone with or at risk of experiencing a mental health problem, as well as adult carers, who care for an adult for any reason, and people living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment.
The project has been crucial in developing an outside space for people in our community to come together, connect with one another in the fresh air by also learning a new skill in gardening.
In March 2024, Natural England released their report ‘Narrative review of reviews of nature exposure and human health and wellbeing in the UK’ highlighting the impact on the wellbeing of those living within a poor quality environment. Environmental quality and mental wellbeing are closely linked. One of the most obvious ways the environment affects mental wellbeing is through exposure to pollution. Poor air quality has been linked to a range of mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that individuals living in areas with high levels of air pollution are more likely to experience psychological distress and mood disorders. Therefore, getting out in the fresh, countryside air, whilst tending to a plethora of plants will undoubtedly be beneficial for the mind, body and soul.
Natural England are just one of the many organisations that have donated to our project. A project that is set to be the heart and soul of our local gardening and wellbeing community. We would like to thank Natural England for their generosity and support.
- A narrative review of reviews of nature exposure and human health and wellbeing in the UK, March 2024, Natural England Evidence Review NEER030 pg. 4
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