Growing for Recovery

There is something about a garden

There is something about spending time in a garden that invites us to slow down.

The seasons set the pace. Seeds take time to germinate. Plants need attention but cannot be hurried. Some things flourish, others struggle, and sometimes something unexpected appears.

A garden reminds us that growth is rarely a straight line.

Perhaps that is one reason gardens can be such meaningful places for recovery.

At GAP, we have long seen community gardens as more than places to grow food. They can be places to grow relationships, confidence, knowledge and a sense of belonging.

 They offer opportunities to spend time outdoors, learn practical skills, contribute to something shared and connect with other people in an informal and welcoming environment.

There is lots of evidence that spending time in nature can support our mental health and wellbeing.

GAP’s own Mental Health and Access to Nature research highlights both the benefits of nature and an important question about who has access to it. For many people living in urban communities, welcoming green spaces are not always easy or safe to reach. Community gardens can help bridge that gap, bringing nature, growing and connection closer to where people live.

Research into community gardens points to many of the same benefits, including greater wellbeing, social connection and a stronger sense of community.

We have seen this in our own GLAS garden in Ballymun. In 2023, TU Dublin researchers Francis McGeough and Rachel Freeman evaluated the garden, speaking to current and former users about what it meant to them. Their findings highlighted the importance of the garden as a place for social inclusion, environmental awareness, mental health and connection with nature. 

Perhaps this is what makes community gardens special. They bring together many of the things that help us feel well: time outdoors, meaningful activity, learning, movement, creativity and the chance to connect with other people. 

The GLAS garden is not simply somewhere to grow vegetables. It is a shared space where people can come as they are, contribute in their own way and take a little time to grow, connect and breathe.