Chelsea Physic Garden is pleased to announce that its social and therapeutic horticulture programme has received funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust.  

The Garden has a long history of connecting people with plants that heal, dating back to the 17th century when trainee apothecaries were learning to grow, identify, and dispense materia medica, or the therapeutic properties of plants. Today, our approach is more holistic, by connecting people with nature for the benefit of their health and wellbeing.  

We offer horticultural therapy for adults in recovery from mental or physical ill health, addiction, social isolation or trauma from significant life experiences like abuse, homeless or grief. Near the learning centre, a part of the Garden is set aside as a Community Garden, where past participants can return as volunteers, and help cultivate the space so that it can be enjoyed and used in education sessions.  

Our ‘Forget Me Nots’ sessions offer people with early-stage dementia and their carers a tranquil space to enjoy, and those referred through social prescribing can participate in our walks, talks, and workshops activities. 

There is a wealth of research into how horticulture can help people heal (1), through improving physical and mental health, offering opportunities to connect with others and nature, learn new skills, and improve confidence and self-esteem.  

The Garden has long been an active champion of the ‘Natural Health Service’. We ran our first ‘Help Us Grow’ horticultural therapy course in 2018 and have since delivered six courses. We have helped support 54 individuals, bringing positive impact of their lives, with thousands more engaged through our community access and social prescribing programmes.  

The impact of our programmes, is best heard from those who experienced it first hand: 

  • “I loved getting my hand my hands dirty, watching things grow from nothing. There is something magical about the garden that raises my spirits.” 
  • “I felt a feeling of pride, which I haven’t had in a long time.” 
  • “The sense of purpose. The creative elements. The learning, the happy, positive environment. Words aren’t enough! It was wonderful” 
  • “I breathe better; my mind is happier”.  

The power of nature to nurture health and wellbeing is bolstered in biodiverse spaces. (2) With 4,500 different plant species in ornamental displays, herbaceous borders, woodland ecosystems, ponds, and four glasshouses that range in climatic conditions, the Garden is the ideal space to experience the benefits of nature, whether as a visitor, or through our social and therapeutic horticultural programmes.  

We are deeply grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund, National Lottery players, and the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust for funding our programme throughout 2025 – 2026, helping us to unite more people with plants that heal. 

        

Footnotes
(1) https://www.thrive.org.uk/how-we-help/social-therapeutic-horticulture-resource-centre/evidence-of-the-benefits-for-sth
(2) https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/biodiversity-is-key-to-the-mental-health-benefits-of-nature-new-study-finds