Case study

It helped me to learn to trust people again

“I came to know about the Forest Farm Peace Garden by coincidence. I immediately felt drawn to the program. I was going through a very tough time after experiencing burnout followed by a breakdown. I needed support and I needed a community.

At first, I struggled as I found it hard to be amongst people. But I soon learned how genuinely nice and welcoming everyone was. It helped me to learn to trust people again. In the garden, people listened and took my suggestions seriously. I wasn't used to that, it felt nice.

I learned a lot about gardening. I was able to apply the knowledge at home in my garden which was very beneficial.

I often struggled to speak up and set boundaries in general. FFPG helped me find my voice and gently approach people about my needs and limits.

I enjoyed going to the garden as there was no pressure put on me. I was able to interact and do as much or as little as I wanted. I was always pleased to see everyone and there was always something to do, never a boring moment. The environment itself is soothing and healing. What they offer there is magical.

After my placement was over I was able to train as a buddy volunteer to support others. I loved to have the opportunity to continue being part of the garden and the community.

Most importantly, at FFPG I realised how much I loved doing DIY. I was nervous about handling power tools, but they taught me how to use them and encouraged me all the way. I loved it so much that I decided to enrol in a carpentry and joinery course the same year. One year later, I am now a carpentry apprentice.

FFPG has changed my life in so many ways and I will be forever grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Volunteer, 2023

Case study

It took the negative thoughts that I was having every day away and gave me something else to think about

“Two years ago my dad died. He was the world to me. He was always my best friend and in the end I was looking after him. I got very depressed and anxious after he died and I couldn’t stop crying, which is not like me.

My GP, who knew me and my dad well, asked me if I liked gardening and told me about the Peace Garden. It took effort to make myself go but when I walked into the Garden it was everything that I adored – the trees, the birds, the flowers, the calm - I love being outdoors in green spaces.

When I grew up in the East End there was only concrete and bombsites and no greenery. My dad used to take us out to the countryside at weekends, so that’s where I got my love for the outdoors.

I loved coming to the Garden because everyone was so kind and like-minded. The staff put me at ease and made me feel better. On the days I was going to the Garden, I used to wake up and feel so happy to be coming, and I used to walk out of the Garden with a spring in my step. It took the negative thoughts that I was having every day away and gave me something else to think about. I learnt about nature, about butterflies and birds of prey, as well as about pruning trees.

I’m a people person and loved meeting the people here. I really liked helping with the open days and I made friends who I’ll be keeping in touch with.

I did find the morning circle a bit of a challenge, but I just listened and wasn’t pressured into joining.

I’m sad that my year has come to an end but I’ll keep coming to the Monday Maintenance Days and to all the community events and open days.”

Volunteer, 2023

Case study

It was a bit like a stepping stone, helping me to move forward and to pluck up the courage to make changes to my situatioN

“I started coming to the ecotherapy programme in March 2022. I’ve had lots of issues with my mental health and many barriers to cross over the years. I’ve felt very anxious about mixing with people and at times felt like I couldn’t leave the house. I’m a carer for my mother, so that brings stresses with it too.

During lockdown things got really bad. Our neighbours were abusive and violent and I couldn’t have the windows open because of the noise and the constant smell of cannabis. I was climbing the walls and felt like I was losing my mind.

I asked for some support for my mental health when I was at the Job Centre and was shown a list of organisations not too far from me that might be able to provide support. The Peace Garden stood out for me – I liked the sound of being somewhere peaceful and I enjoy being outdoors.

Going for walks on my own just used to make me think about my problems, so having somewhere else to go got me out of my daily life and opened my mind up.

There were times when I really struggled to get to the Garden, but what kept me coming was staff sending me encouraging texts saying “just pop your head in” – it made me feel like someone cared. I knew I’d get a cup of tea and feel better at the end of the day. Also, realising that other people have their issues too helped me to feel less alone.

Coming to the garden inspired me to grow things and to open myself up again. I’d become a bit of a loner, but started to be more sociable and made some good friends that I’m still in touch with now. People encouraged one another and we learnt from each other – I realised I had knowledge to pass on too.

And it wasn’t just gardening, but also woodwork, working on a pond project, food making, juicing and helping to set up for open days. There were workshops, for example on tool sharpening, where I learnt skills that I still use now outside of the project.

When we were cutting back and digging, I loved finding new open spaces hiding under the weeds. One time I rescued a tree with one of the other volunteers. We dug it up and planted it in a pot and it gave me real sense of making something come back to life.

I didn’t consider myself a good gardener really, but I realised I am probably quite good and can do more.

The Peace Garden made me become more self-aware and trust myself and others more. It was a bit like a stepping stone, helping me to move forward and to pluck up the courage to make changes to my situation - like seeking help to move to a new house and a different environment. It helped me to be more physically active and not let my anxiety rule my head.

I think often people don’t stop for five minutes to look what’s around them. Being in the Garden spurred me on to appreciate what’s around more – people, wildlife, growing things. Sometimes it needs someone else to point out these things to you.

I now don’t get as unwell as I used to and I try to look after myself more.

What I used to look forward to the most was mixing with people, seeing people I’d made friends with and escaping from my ‘reality’ for a few hours.

There were a few things I found challenging. For example, sometimes my joints really hurt because of my arthritis and I couldn’t bend. Once, one of the others said to me “why are you standing there not doing anything?’’, but the staff reminded them (and me) that there is no pressure and that we should all take a rest when we need or want to. It is really good to have someone there to step in when you’re feeling vulnerable.

Speaking in a group I also found quite difficult, especially in the morning circle. But I did push myself and got used to it.

I now want to carry on improving my physical and mental health and I’m looking for casual gardening jobs. One of my new neighbours mentioned a local garden centre where they’re looking for staff so I’m going to explore that. In the future I’d love to get back to working on boats which is something I did when I was younger.

Volunteer, 2023

Case study

It's like food coming here

“I first got involved at FFPG when I was going through a particularly stressful time.

I noticed a marked improvement in my symptoms of OCD straight away and it enabled me to keep it under control. It gave me a mental break from the pressures and emotional upheaval I was under as well as a social outlet to cope with caring for my mother.

I feel much more confident and grounded. It’s been lovely interacting with people in such an inclusive and non-judgemental environment. I received lots of support from the buddies. I tend to be quite reclusive and this place has given me a better perspective on social phobia issues.

I found it a very healing experience being in nature and I was able to do my own meditation practice in the garden. I’ve learnt so much through the workshops and gained lots of knowledge about plants and gardening.   

I never want to be out of this environment. It’s like food coming here, nourishment. It has been a vital source of support for me and always something to look forward to. I can go to support my mother in a better frame of mind and deal with problems better. My mother also benefits from seeing me in a better mood.

So much heart goes into making this place beneficial for everyone. I’ve never encountered a project with so much well-meaning to people with mental illness.” Volunteer, summer 2019

Case study

It feels like home

Growing Roots is a group for refugees and asylum seekers who are accessing support through Redbridge Refugee Psychological Services.

“I am from India. I was introduced to Forest Farm Peace Garden by my psychologist, due to my depressed situation and stressful mind. I needed a place to relax and meet kind people to talk to. I have found this place really helpful and have made a few friends. I feel really relaxed and it feels like home every time I visit the garden. The atmosphere and beautiful people make the place wonderful, which gives me positive vibes.

I have noticed that I receive more positive energy from the people there than outside. It helps me deal with fatigue and anxiety for the next couple of days. That’s the reason I love to come to this place every week. I was a bit aggressive before due to my depression, but I now feel a lot better and I’m much less aggressive. I have learnt many things about gardening and I enjoy talking with people who know a lot about plants. Personally, I love this place as it reminds me of back home. Thanks for welcoming me as a volunteer.” Growing Roots member, spring 2019

Case study

I had forgotten what they taste like

“I’ve really enjoyed it and found it very beneficial. I feel much better about myself and feel I am now a lot healthier, both mentally and physically. Before I started coming I sometimes visited parks and other places. I really enjoy nature and being outside, so I wanted to spend more time doing things I enjoy, especially as I was having mental health problems. 

Coming here has helped me socially as well. I’m actually quite a quiet person, never mind having the experience of mental health problems. Socialising was the biggest challenge. I was out of my comfort zone, but with the help of the people around me being so welcoming and so easy to talk to, I now feel a lot better than I did before. I socialise a lot more than I used to outside the garden too.

Another benefit for me has been the opportunity to harvest and try different foods, salads and fruit. Some of which were new and some I hadn’t eaten for such a long time that I had forgotten what they taste like.

In general I am thinking more positively, and I try to be a bit more active than I used to be. I started to think about how I would cope after my placement finished so thought about doing some courses related to gardening. I’m now taking a garden maintenance course at Capel Manor College and an orchard management course at FFPG. It was mainly through coming to the Peace Garden that I’ve decided to expand my options.” Volunteer, spring 2020

Case study

Breaking out of my comfort zone

“I started the Ecotherapy programme in spring 2019, and then later became a buddy volunteer in spring 2020. Before this I regularly used to stay awake very late and not be able to get up in the morning. I knew I needed to get out of this routine to be able to go back to work. I have diabetes as well, and one way I used to deal with this was to go for a walk. But during my walks I ended up thinking about all my issues and this became a big problem for me. My blood sugar tests were showing that my blood sugar had gone up, not down. 

I found out about FFPG at the Redbridge volunteer fair, and it sounded like it could also help me with my blood sugar, to be doing something active. When I get the opportunity to do something physical, I'm going to do it with a smile, because I know it is good for my blood sugar. At the same time I thought it would help me deal with my issues and not to focus too much on the negative.

I never really worked in a garden before so everything I did there was for the first time. I was not very confident and wondered whether I was doing it right. The buddy volunteers reassured me that it doesn’t matter if I make a mistake in the garden. Other people shared with me that they are still learning, even though they have been gardening for many years. That was nice to know, and after a few weeks I stopped feeling anxious about being there and could just enjoy the experience.

Now I feel able and confident to do things I didn’t before, like working for security at the Pride festival and becoming a buddy at FFPG. Breaking out of my comfort zone in one way led me to do it again in other ways and so on, in a way that I couldn't predict or expect.

Compared to when I started my mood is certainly much better and my psychological wellbeing has improved. I have had many enjoyable and memorable experiences in the garden. At one of our big annual events - Abundance Day - I helped children and visitors to make lavender and hops bags for the whole day. It was so enjoyable helping the children to sow. I would never have thought I would do something like this.

The garden has been a wonderful experience. I will be starting to look for work next year, but I won’t be fit enough to cope with going back into nursing. I'm currently doing an orchard maintenance course through FFPG, which I hope will open up other avenues. I certainly hope that I'll be able to find work that will allow me to continue coming to the garden.” Volunteer, autumn 2020