£167k boost to south London charity helping people with mental health
Sydenham Garden’s Growing Lives project, a leading platform for mental health support, has been awarded a £167,000 grant from City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funding arm. This generous funding will extend much-needed horticultural therapy to hundreds of south Londoners suffering from mental health challenges in Lewisham and Bromley.
The Growing Lives project has been recognised for its weekly therapeutic and vocational horticultural sessions, helping individuals to gain not only a recognised horticultural accreditation but also a stronger sense of community and improved mental well-being. The project is a testament to the transformative power of nature as a tool for mental health support.
City Bridge Trust Chairman, Giles Shilson, applauded the initiative, highlighting the significance of such projects that encourage people with mental health difficulties to participate more fully in society. The additional funding will empower Sydenham Garden to further its mission of promoting confidence, improving social skills, and enhancing quality of life through horticultural therapy.
A case study highlights the impact of the Growing Lives project on the beneficiaries. Laura from Lewisham, a participant of the therapeutic horticultural sessions, shares her journey of gaining self-confidence and learning new skills through the project. Her testimonial serves as a powerful reminder of the project’s potential to provide much-needed mental health support and help participants rediscover their abilities.
The Growing Lives project anticipates helping hundreds of people bolster their well-being, with at least 80% feeling more capable of advocating for themselves and moving towards employment or traineeship.
For more about the City Bridge Trust and the Sydenham Garden’s Growing Lives project, visit www.sydenhamgarden.org.uk and www.citybridgetrust.org.uk. City Bridge Trust continues its legacy as London’s biggest independent grant giver, allotting over £30 million annually to combat disadvantage across the capital, and making an extra £200 million available over five years from 2021 to 2026 to bolster London’s charity sector.
