For HCP’s new column, GrowN22’s Luke Newcombe and London Wildlife Trust’s Lois Donegal explore the therapeutic benefits of green spaces in the borough

LUKE: SINCE I WAS YOUNG, I always had an interest in the great outdoors. Prior to setting up GrowN22, I had a yearning to get outside but, at the time, I worked in a state-of-the-art office with artificial light. I thought to myself that there had to be something better out there for me to do — so at the weekends, I started working on neighbouring gardens to build up
an understanding of the type of work involved. The more time I spent working on gardens, the more my mental
health and wellbeing improved.

It was proven during the Covid19 lockdowns that green spaces provided a welcome escape for many people who did not have a garden. I knew GPs were prescribing programmes to encourage immersion in nature, but was unsure how to set one up in Haringey until I met Lois, the communities and youth officer from London Wildlife Trust.

LOIS: In March 2023, we began offering a series of community workshops focused on conservation, gardening, and wellbeing, providing new learnings and tools to inspire further new connections with nature for the community. I have made it part of my life to get outdoors in nature everyday if I can, though not everyone can find that time. However, working with nature in even the smallest ways is incredibly powerful for our mental health and gives us a sense that we can make a difference to the world around us. Finding new ways for communities to connect with nature is my passion, with a focus on young people who lack access to quality green spaces. There is no right way to connect with nature, but there are skills you can learn along the way, and the therapeutic gardening workshops are a good way to start.

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