NHS therapy garden opens in Epsom
It's been designed to support the mental health of young people and adults with learning disabilities
A therapy garden designed to provide a calming and natural space to support the mental health of young people and adults with learning disabilities has been officially opened in Epsom.
The new St Ebba’s Therapy Garden, formerly a cricket ground and pavilion, is being provided by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Surrey County Council. Support for the project has also come from local businesses, volunteers from a vocational programme for adults with learning disabilities, Natural England and Surrey Wildlife Trust who have helped design and develop the space.
Young people and adults with learning disabilities who are receiving support from Surrey and Borders Partnership and who may struggle to engage in a more clinical space can have therapy sessions in the new garden and pavilion.
Ruth Leaver-Lewis, Senior Art Therapist at Surrey and Borders Partnership and lead clinician for the St Ebba’s Therapy Garden, said: “The garden provides a natural space which can be used by people with complex needs and symptoms of anxiety, low mood and trauma, as well as with neurodiversity who have struggled to engage in therapy at a traditional clinical site.
“Our team of therapists have been trained to deliver nature-based interventions. We are providing group therapy as well as individual sessions and social initiatives such as café sessions for people with learning disabilities.
“People accessing the garden can explore ways to relax, restore and revitalise through connecting with nature. The sensory elements in the space can help with mindfulness practice, such as: feeling the breeze, hearing the birds and smelling the flowers and plants. We also include families and carers in our sessions which supports relationship-building and emotional processing.
"Additionally, the garden provides ecological benefit for local ecosystems and wildlife, as we have planted native flora.”
One young person, who accesses therapy at the garden said: “I really enjoy having my sessions in this nice, relaxed environment. The garden is a good place for me to calm down. I feel comfortable being there.”
The garden was designed and cocreated with local businesses and charities. Opportunities were also created for young people not in education, employment or training to take part in the project and develop their skills through a partnership with employability charity, Volunteer it Yourself.
The parent of a young person with autism spectrum disorder who completed a volunteer placement to help build the garden said: “Our son has always struggled at school and was nervous about taking part in the project. After the first day, he came back so proud of what he’d achieved and it was lovely to see him so excited. He has gained confidence and we’re so grateful he had the opportunity to get involved.”
Mark Nuti, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing, and Public Health said: "It’s wonderful to see the opening of this beautiful space, specially designed to create an inclusive and supportive environment, particularly for those who find it difficult to engage with our other services. I'm sure this new and innovative way of supporting people will have a really positive impact on the mental wellbeing of people in Surrey, providing a safe and welcoming space for all.
“I would like to thank all of those involved in making this happen, a coming together of many charities and volunteer organisations. It was great to meet so many of them, including some our younger residents who took part, learning and applying newly learnt skills in the construction of the garden."
Other local organisations which contributed to the garden are:
• St Kilda’s Trust, which provided some of the funding
• Wealdens, which donated bulk bags of soil improver for the raised flower beds
• The Surrey Choices Horticultural Growth team, a group of adults with learning disabilities, which volunteered to plant flowers and continues to maintain the garden
• Natural England, which offered guidance on the garden design, planting plan and maintenance of the space
• The Old Moats Garden Centre, which provided all the plants in the garden
• Surrey Wildlife Trust, which offered advice on plants to promote local biodiversity, donated native hedging and led workshops to create the hedging around the perimeter of the garden
• Ethnically Diverse Environment Network, which helped to plant the hedging
• Ringway and Nu-phalt, which both donated materials and labour to install a wheelchair-accessible path around the garden
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