Thrive seeks volunteers to support therapeutic gardening in Reading
Local gardening for health charity, Thrive, is calling for volunteers to assist with therapeutic gardening programmes at its Reading centre in Beech Hill. The charity’s work creates welcoming green spaces where people can build confidence, improve wellbeing and enjoy the benefits of spending time outdoors in a supportive environment.
Client support volunteers are required to work alongside practitioners and help client gardeners who may be disabled or experiencing ill-health and disadvantage.
Thrive has been transforming lives through gardening for over 45 years through the life-changing benefits of therapeutic gardening and nature which support us physically, mentally and socially.
Thrive delivers therapeutic gardening programmes for hundreds of people at its three gardens in Birmingham, London and Reading, and provides Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) training for practitioners, as well as online gardening advice for disabled people and people living with health conditions.
With an active volunteering programme, Thrive welcomes volunteers who desire to do something worthwhile for others, have a passion for gardening and nature or want to gain experience. Gardening knowledge isn’t necessary, but client support volunteers must be regularly available on the same weekday each week from 9.45am – 3.15pm.
Thrive relies on the support of the amazing people who give their time to volunteer and say that:
“Thrive is fulfilling. I love my volunteer days which help affirm how restoring nature can be and what a positive role gardening plays for mental health and wellbeing,” said a volunteer.
One volunteer reflected that “Thrive, Reading is a very special place that I believe has great benefits for not only the clients but also for all those that volunteer or work there.”
“I cannot emphasise enough the value of the work Thrive does. Over the years, I have seen something wonderful nearly every time I volunteer from changes in the garden to changes in the clients,” shared another volunteer.
For many people, volunteering offers the chance to learn new skills, meet others, and be part of a project that has a visible and lasting effect on people’s lives.
Volunteer taster sessions give prospective helpers the opportunity to find out more about Thrive’s work, meet the team and understand how they could contribute. They are ideal for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, wants to support others in a practical way, or is looking for meaningful experience in health, wellbeing or community-based work.
For updates on the next taster sessions check out their website: www.thrive.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/reading, or call 0118 9884844 or email trunkwell@thrive.org.uk