Case Study
Lindengate
Funding has supported set up and operational costs of Lindengate since its founding in 2014
“I am learning so much and loving being out of the house, in the fresh air, with nature, with others and getting exercise – Thursday tired me out but it was a really satisfying tired when I got in.” – Lindengate participant.
Lindengate offers Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) to support people with mental health needs. Funding from the Rothschild Foundation has supported set up and operational costs of Lindengate’s unique service, enabling eighty participants, referred to as Gardeners, to attend since commencement in November 2014. Operating from a five acre site in Wendover, Gardeners can take part in a wide range of gardening, construction, conservation and art & craft activities within a calm and safe environment.
Lindengate offers Social and Therapeutic Horticulture to support people with mental health needs.
Lindengate offers Gardeners a range of activities from planting and cultivation through to constructing practical objects such as bird boxes and bug hotels and many of the things grown end up in the cooking pot. Activity sessions and numbers of Gardeners attending have steadily increased and, using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental wellbeing scale, evidences an improvement in mental well-being for the majority of Gardeners.
“D has a diagnosis of anxiety and depression and before attending Lindengate had very little interaction with society… His support worker had tried to persuade him for months to come and visit Lindengate, but D wouldn’t leave his house. Finally, he was persuaded and showed great anxiety coming through the gate, finding it very difficult to interact with members of staff and other people.
D has been coming to Lindengate for just over a year and is now achieving all of his original goals. He has become a vocal member of the group, often initiating conversation, making jokes and joining in group chats. He takes the lead on projects and is able to welcome new members and help them feel included in the group. At present, he is taking steps towards joining Lindengate’s site maintenance volunteer sessions.” – Lindengate staff member
