GREENER grass may be on the horizon for those with mental health issues at HMP Hewell near Redditch as a new therapeutic gardening programme is launched.
Starting in November horticultural therapists from Thrive Birmingham will work with support needs in the prison garden once a week for the next 12 months.
Thrive delivers social and therapeutic horticulture aid to gardeners with varying needs who are aiming to make positive changes to their lives.
Its regional manager Amanda Fields said: “The prison already has a good outside space and we are looking forward to working with inmates who are not in the best of health, helping them reap the benefits structured gardening can bring.
“We will be working in small groups and the prisoners in the programme all have specific mental health support needs.
“In the first few weeks we will spend time getting to know everyone and focus on encouraging the inmates to plan what to do with the garden. This is good for their focus and motivation and we hope they will learn new skills and embrace creativity.”
Thrive believes that allowing prisoners to have a choice in what they do can help improve relationships, and can be especially powerful in an outdoor setting.
It is hoped the project, funded by ‘Health in Justice’, will also see improvements in fitness levels.
Organisers believe planting flowers encourages creativity and pride, which may result in a feeling of accomplishment and achievement. The tasks can also help with numeracy and literacy skills, as seeds are counted and labels written.
Volunteers are still sought to help with the programme and anyone interested can contact Thrive Birmingham on 0121 293 4531 or email [email protected].
