Disabled people and those with ill health are significantly boosting their mental wellbeing through therapeutic gardening, fresh independent evidence reveals. A new Social Return on Investment (SROI) study commissioned by Thrive, a charity helping people to improve their health and transform their lives through gardening, found that Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) delivers life-changing outcomes for individuals and measurable social value. The benefits extend beyond the individual onto their support network of carers, family and friends as well as volunteers who all experience positive change. Improved mental wellbeing, social connection and carer respite are among the top outcomes. While health systems are searching for ways to improve results, reduce inequalities and deliver more preventative care, under intense financial pressure, people are achieving incredible outcomes through therapeutic gardening. As a community-based intervention, it improves health and wellbeing, strengthens social connections and helps people lead fuller, more connected lives, all while generating significant value for society. The independent study estimates that £14.1 million of social value was created through STH programmes from an investment of £1.79 million, equating to £7.92 for every £1 invested. 58% of this value is generated for Client Gardeners, while together carers, families, friends and volunteers account for the other 42%, demonstrating the ripple effect of therapeutic gardening throughout communities. Mental wellbeing emerged as the most significant outcome at 61% of the total social value created. An overwhelming 98% of Client Gardeners reported improvements in their mental wellbeing. Yet many disabled people and those with ill health and disadvantage cannot access a simple activity like therapeutic gardening that could help them transform their lives and achieve the things that matter to them. Behind the statistics are hundreds of people whose lives have changed. One of those people is Vicki who found support for her mental wellbeing while living with multiple sclerosis and depression. “I don’t have anyone on the outside and I spend most of my days alone,” Vicki explains. “Thrive has been a huge part of changing that. Even though it’s only one day a week, it changes everything. I have something to look forward to and after, I find myself taking on challenges at home that I would normally avoid.” For carers, the impact is equally important driven by improved mental wellbeing and reduced worry about the person they care for, alongside significant value of respite time. The study found that Thrive generated more than 90,000 hours of respite over the period assessed, giving carers valuable time away from caring responsibilities which they benefitted from as a result. Volunteers also reported benefits from their involvement. Alongside the practical contribution they make, many reported improvements in wellbeing, confidence, skills and connection with nature. As the Government and NHS seek to shift care closer to communities and place greater emphasis on prevention, Thrive CEO Ben Thomas believes the findings demonstrate that therapeutic gardening could address critical national challenges. "Every day, we see people achieve things they once thought impossible, and this study shows that the impact reaches far beyond the individual. At a time when health and social care services are under significant pressure, therapeutic gardening is a powerful tool and highly cost-effective way to support people to live well. Through greater investment and stronger referral pathways from health, social care and community services, many more people, just like Vicki, could experience its life-changing benefits.” The Social Return on Investment Study, conducted independently by Bean Research, examined work across Thrive’s centres in Reading, London and Birmingham, involving 682 Client Gardeners, their carers and volunteers over a two-year period. The findings evidence that therapeutic gardening delivers both incredible outcomes for people and measurable value for society, highlighting the need for greater investment. Read the full Social Return on Investment Study

Organ Donation Week took place last month (21–25 September 2026), raising awareness of the difference organ donation can make to the lives of people waiting for a transplant. But raising awareness shouldn’t stop when Organ Donation Week ends. This half term, the conversation continues with a series of sessions for young people. These provide a chance to learn more about organ donation, discuss the issues and ask questions in an open and supportive environment. Through the Volunteering for Health programme, young people aged 13–21 will be able to get involved in the following activities: October half-term volunteering event – a half-day, face-to-face NHS volunteering experience where young people will learn about organ donation and explore creative ways to raise awareness and encourage conversations within their communities. Sign up here for more details 👉 Sign up to our mailing list Community Research Work Experience – up to six local schools will take part in projects giving students practical work experience while exploring issues around organ donation and developing ideas to support greater awareness and understanding. Here is a video to explain more about the programme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUo6FmW-_ls Schools interested in participating can register their interest using this link . Virtual Organ Donation Volunteering – young people who cannot attend in person can take part online, learning about organ donation and working in small groups to develop ways of sharing the message in their own schools and communities. Participants will also have the opportunity to present their work and feedback to healthcare professionals. This project will take place online from the end of October through early January. Sign up here for more details 👉 Sign up to our mailing list . About Volunteering for Health Volunteering for Health is a £10m national programme being delivered through a partnership between NHS Charities Together, NHS England, and CW+, supporting 15 local systems across England. It provides funding and practical support to break down barriers to volunteering, test new ways of working, and build good practice across the NHS. In Birmingham and Solihull, the programme is led by BVSC with Birmingham Community Healthcare Charity (BCHC) and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Trust (BWC). The programme aims to: Improve access to meaningful health volunteering opportunities Develop new volunteer roles tailored to meet the changing nature of volunteering and the evolving needs of the health sector, with a focus on addressing health inequalities in underrepresented groups and communities Effectively involve young people in volunteering.

As we mark the International Day of Older People on 1 October, Bridge Point West Midlands CIC is celebrating the contribution older people make to our communities while highlighting a challenge we see regularly: too many older residents are becoming disconnected from the services, technology and social networks around them. One recent moment captured this perfectly. During a digital inclusion session in Yardley, a gentleman was asked what he used his mobile phone for. His answer was simple: “Incoming calls.” With a little practical support, he learned how to find the photographs stored on his phone. It was a small step, but his reaction showed why this work matters. Digital inclusion is not simply about technology. It is about confidence, independence and staying connected. Bridge Point West Midlands CIC was established in 2025 to support older adults, unpaid carers and people experiencing isolation through practical community-based support. During September, we delivered a four-week Healthy Living and Wellbeing programme in Yardley, bringing residents together with organisations working across digital inclusion, carers support, diabetes awareness, falls prevention and men’s health. What we are learning is that older people rarely experience just one challenge. Someone who is digitally excluded may also struggle to access health information. A person with mobility problems may become socially isolated. An unpaid carer may prioritise someone else’s needs while neglecting their own wellbeing. This is why our approach is based on more than simply running activities. We aim to identify needs, build trust, connect people with appropriate services and follow up afterwards. The programme has also shown the value of bringing specialist organisations directly into familiar community settings. Residents are often more willing to ask questions and seek help when support is accessible, informal and delivered alongside people they already know. Alongside our wellbeing work, Bridge Point operates a referral-led mobile food support service, including doorstep deliveries for residents who may be unable to access traditional food provision. We also use community activities and outings to help reduce isolation and strengthen relationships. One of the most encouraging things we have seen is older people supporting one another. Participants with stronger digital skills have helped others. People have shared experiences, encouraged neighbours and built new connections. Older people are not simply recipients of services. They are contributors, mentors and an essential part of our communities. Our next step is to strengthen partnerships with health services, housing providers, voluntary organisations, local authorities and community groups so that more older residents can access support earlier and closer to home. Our message for International Day of Older People is simple:Growing older should never mean growing disconnected. Bridge Point West Midlands CIC welcomes referrals, partnerships and conversations with organisations that share that ambition. Daniel Aliu Director, Bridge Point West Midlands CIC