The Growing Together project benefits people with mental ill health and associated learning difficulties living in Southend through the Community Therapeutic Gardens. As many a 1 in 6 people suffer some form of mental ill health during their lives yet the statuary services provide little support until a crisis point is reached. Research carried out at Loughborough University showed that our type of approach is a practical and effective way of helping people with mental ill health become healthier, manage their own health and develop skills that will help them lead more fulfilling and healthier lives as well as improving their employability and social skills. Their research identified a number of issues around mental ill health:

• Social and self-isolation, often in the early stages of mental illness
• Low self-esteem and confidence preventing progression
• Poor physical and mental health which act in a cyclical manner to reinforce each other
• A lack of accessible restorative, nurturing and supportive environments to provide a preventative and rehabilitative approach to mental health;
• Low employment and educational opportunities for people with poor mental health also acting in a cyclical manner to reinforce illness and low prospects;
• A lack of meaningful structured activity with support to allow people with poor mental health to participate within volunteering and contributing to the community;
• Social stigma and misunderstanding of mental health by the general public due to poor media coverage, lack of community based projects and community engagement opportunities.

Through Growing Together we provide a mutually supportive caring environment where people form friendships and gain experience and insights into their own situations.

The activities in the garden are used to enable people to bring structure to their lives, develop social skills and build their self confidence and self esteem. Growing Together provides training opportunities in sales of plants, landscaping, organic plant and vegetable growing, and work experience in its gardens and orchard. The Gardens which have won awards in Anglia in Bloom and Southend in Bloom are open to the public as a haven to target stress, anxiety and depression.

The garden provides learning opportunities in conjunction with Growing Onwards which provides NVQs in horticulture, levels 1 and 2, personal development and life planning and works, with those who are ready, on cv's, job search and help into employment. We also run our own small social enterprise that gives short term employment opportunities to some clients.

To help develop and enhance our services we have in 2008 completed the self build of a centre, at the garden, which will provide a training area and a small café. This will help us to provide a wider range of training and work experience. By opening the café to the public we will increase the number of members of the general public who visit us, providing greater social interaction and helping to break down barriers of misunderstanding and social stigma.

Each year we work with 140+ volunteer beneficiaries as well as children from local schools and other community groups. We take referrals from many sources including local GP’s, Job Centre +and Social Services but also take self referrals knowing that many people with mental ill health are reluctant to use the statuary services.

We are well recognised locally for providing a vital service for some of those most in need in our society and get support from Southend Council, Connexions, local PCT, Job Centre +. Essex Police and Social Services both use Growing Together as one of their placements for trainees to get experience of community projects.

Some comments that beneficiaries have shared with us are:

“My life has now completely changed. Instead of staying in bed all day feeling sorry for myself, I come here. I have been awarded a medal and certificate which I hang up in my room.”

“I no longer need a psychiatrist. I feel well since coming here and finding friends and compassion. I enjoy my part in building the garden. I have never been on a team like this before. I am now training to go back to work.”

“This is the only work placement project I’ve done where I want to keep coming to.”

At the core of Trust Links is the community garden. This alone, as you will see for yourself when you visit, provides a haven for those in distress. It also provides a market garden supplying fresh produce and this, together with their orchard near Southend Airport, provides opportunities for genuine training in horticulture and sales. The site has its own kitchen to provide refreshments throughout the day, and this also allows for training opportunities in health and hygiene and first aid. Currently, Trust Links has 22 people taking NVQs.

Trust Links offers the services of a qualified Mental Health Nurse, a qualified Counsellor, and several Complementary Therapists. This allows for one-to-one listening and support, or maybe just an Indian Head Massage to alleviate stress!

Sometimes, just having someone else to talk to who is in a similar situation can reduce the loneliness, but there are also several other group activities such as an Arts programme.

And when people are feeling well and confident again, Trust Links will provide ongoing support and assistance in finding employment, educational and volunteer opportunities.