Two UK Charities Announce Partnership on World Therapeutic Horticulture Day

Methodist Homes (MHA) and Thrive, two of the largest charities in the UK are working together in promoting gardening and wellbeing to improve physical and physiological health.

The partnership will see the two using their experiences and support networks to changes the lives of many individuals by utilising MHA’s Green Care Strategy, a first for the charity, which has more than 19,200 residents and members.

The launch of the strategy and partnership is in line with World Therapeutic Horticulture Day on May 18.

MHA’S Green Care Strategy sets out commitments on how access to nature enables residents and members to live later life well, as well as how it plays a key role for family members and colleagues.

Thrive uses gardening to bring about positive changes in the lives of people living with disabilities or ill health, or who are isolated, disadvantaged or vulnerable.

Sam Monaghan, CEO of MHA said: “MHA is delighted to be working with Thrive, the leading gardening for health charity, to bring to life our new Green Care strategy throughout our homes and schemes.

“Today celebrates the immense benefits upon both our physical and mental wellbeing of engaging with nature.

“At MHA we have recognised these benefits for quite some time.

“The implementation of this new specialist strategy and our partnership with Thrive will bring these benefits to our residents, community groups and colleagues, enabling us all to grow together.”

Kathryn Rossiter, CEO of Thrive  said: “It is great to see a leading care organisation developing an organisation-wide green care strategy and we are delighted to be partnering with MHA to support its implementation.

“Thrive’s ambition is to see Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) available to everyone across the UK and this will take us a step closer to that.

“This Partnership has the potential to support the STH and Green Care sector towards greater recognition for the societal benefits it can achieve and we are excited to work with MHA on this.”