In the 2000’s research carried out by Sempik et al (Loughborough University) in conjunction with Thrive produced a clear snapshot of the valuable work being carried out by charities and community groups in gardens across the UK. This was added to by the Kings Fund report in 2016 on Gardens and Health which made the case for further integration of therapy gardens into mainstream health policy and practice.
The work we do with our gardeners is very different to a clinical setting and although many of them are very anxious when they come for a taster day, this soon passes. The outdoor setting allows people to get lost in the fascinations of the natural world, releasing tension and stress. The horticultural work gives purpose and direction as well as bringing new skills and a sense of empowerment. The gardens are at the early stage of development but our gardeners are already taking produce home with them encouraging them to try new foods and add diversity to their diet with fresh wholefoods, further improving their mental health and well being.
Building on the evidence
1. Historical and professional foundations
From the 1950s hospital farms through to Thrive’s founding in 1975, horticultural care is firmly embedded in British occupational therapy and green care . (By the early 2000s, around 1,000 STH (Social and Therapeutic Horticulture) projects were supporting approximately 22,000 clients each week across the UK. That early survey reflected remarkable scope and impact.
2. Wide-ranging benefits
A comprehensive 2002–03 review by Sempik, Aldridge and Becker examined over 300 studies and reported a breadth of benefits: improved self‑esteem and confidence, social skills, work readiness, basic literacy and numeracy, general well‑being and independence (greenfingersproject.com). This review also noted how natural landscapes restore attention and relieve stress through involuntary attention processes.
More recent research confirms that STH effectively supports people with mental health conditions, dementia, addiction, learning disabilities, older adults and offenders. A 2025 meta‑analysis linked therapeutic gardening with reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety
3. Policy affirmation
In 2016, the King’s Fund report *Gardens and Health* collated robust evidence showing that green spaces and gardening support physical and mental health across the life course. It highlighted gardening’s role in social prescribing, community volunteering, dementia and end‑of‑life care. It specifically championed greater integration of garden‑based therapies into NHS policies and clinical commissioning groups (the-cho.org.uk).
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Why it works
1. Biophilia and stress relief
Humans have an inherent affinity with nature. Even passive exposure to green spaces restores mental fatigue and calms stress response (Erich Fromm & Edward O. Wilson).
2. Active engagement and rehabilitation
Designing and caring for gardens offers structured physical activity, social interaction, vocational skill-building and a sense of purpose.
3. Holistic social inclusion
Therapeutic gardening fosters belonging and civic engagement, addressing consumption, production, social interaction and empowerment (greenfingersproject.com).
