UK: William and Kate back therapy gardens in Wales in new mental health partnership

The Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre – a leading residential site for the treatment of alcohol and drug dependencies – will offer free and low-cost gardening therapy and mental health support sessions for its service users and their families.

By PA News Agency
Feb 27, 2023

Excerpt:

William and Kate are visiting the site where the first garden will be developed at Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre, near the town of Pontyclun, on Tuesday to mark the announcement of the social enterprise partnership.

Their charitable organisation is working with Life at No.27 – a horticultural therapy and mental health counselling provider – to scale up its gardening mission, with six gardens eventually being created across south Wales.

William and Kate will be shown plans for the Brynawel garden which includes a collection of allotments where individuals can have their own space to learn and grow produce, a communal sensory and herbal garden, a mud kitchen and an interactive learning space.

Annabelle Padwick, founder of Life at No.27, said gardens were vital in offering a safe environment for those facing mental health difficulties.

“As the founder I have seen first-hand how working with therapy gardens can dramatically improve self-belief and your own mental health,” she said.

“Our unique therapy allotments and gardens are vital as they offer a safe environment for those experiencing mental ill health, to process and explore difficult experiences with trained therapists while at the same time learning new skills.”

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