What's on
From family support, fitness classes and learning to art exhibitions, festivals and talks, our activities are wide and far reaching.
Over the past 10-months, thanks to funding from The National Lottery Awards for All, we’ve run Gentle Gardening sessions in Bernie Spain Gardens. The session takes place every Tuesday, where participants spend time sowing seeds, planting and harvesting vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs, weeding, watering, pruning, and generally maintaining the plot. Our tomato and spinach crop grew in abundance this year, which the group loved cooking in the community kitchen!
Since February, we’ve had 27 adults take part in the programme, 14 of those attending every week and very rarely missing a session. One of the main benefits of the sessions is to support individuals with their mental health and wellbeing. The group are supportive of each other and find comfort and connection in being outdoors in nature, eating together, and sharing the experience.
As part of the project, we’ve worked closely with the London Nautical School, with a group of 10 young people regularly attending with varying additional support needs. Being in the garden has been particularly important to those finding school challenging, giving them an opportunity to do something different and feel more motivated.
Participants of all ages have enjoyed a number of trips in 2023, including visits to Cross Rail Gardens and Kew Gardens. We enjoyed our visits so much that we still speak about them in the sessions! The Southbank Centre roof garden was another memorable experience, where gardening participants hosted a stall to share information about the sessions, made nature badges, and networked with other local organisations.
We are grateful for our team of volunteers who have supported in sessions, including Stephanie from King’s College London. Stephanie enjoyed the welcoming and friendly environment and being outdoors on the South Bank. Read more about her volunteering experience here.
Gentle Gardening does not stop here! Going forward we plan to connect more with other networks and social prescribers to encourage more people to attend and enjoy the gardens. We will continue to improve the accessibility of sessions, to accommodate people with disabilities and additional needs.
A big thanks again to our partners The National Lottery, London Nautical School, and King’s College London for making this all possible! Want to find out more about Gentle Gardening at Coin Street? Get in touch with Laura, l.reynolds@coinstreet.org.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Coin Street’s Gentle Gardening team on behalf of all staff at the London Nautical School…There has been positive benefits from the holistic approach to learning and the rewards of increased positivity on the students mental health and well-being is fantastic to witness.
London Nautical School
I have enjoyed learning about how to take care of plants, learning from others, sharing knowledge with the group, working in a team, getting to meet people. Most of all being outdoors in a lovely garden!
Gentle Gardening participant
Thank you for inviting me to join you all on the trip to Kew Gardens. I had such a lovely time.
Gentle Gardening participant
It was a very nourishing outing yesterday. Appreciated for Mental Health Day.
Gentle Gardening participant