The Therapeutic Gardener
Helping people who are facing mental health and wellbeing challenges can be a demanding role but that's exactly what our Therapeutic Gardener takes great pride in doing
Ozichi Brewster is our Therapeutic Gardener based in Salford, where she’s welcoming patients, referred by their GPs, to experience the healing power of nature and gardening at RHS Garden Bridgewater. She is well placed to support them and understand how difficult and overwhelming life can feel: in her former professional role she herself faced stress which eventually became unbearable.
Ozichi’s life took a different turn when she arrived at the garden. Putting the community at the heart of her work in a role that’s unique in the RHS, she has developed a wellbeing programme that will support up to 75 local people as it rolls forward.
Returning to roots
‘I’ve always gardened and can take it as far back as the life I lived as an infant in Nigeria. I was born in the UK and went back to my parents' country at a very young age, spending nine years there living in a village. There’s so much nature around you, no concrete, everything is earthy and all our foods were growing around us,’ says Ozichi.‘I had that passion instilled in me right from the onset of infanthood and it’s never left me. I’m always drawn by nature, it’s an important part of my life and I’ve done various jobs – but the best ones have always been when it’s been connected to nature. Even if it hasn't been part of my work in the past, it’s something I’ve done for myself, so having a garden where I’m growing food or having an allotment has always been an important part of my journey.’
'...gardening in its simplest form really, it brings a sense of satisfaction'
Therapeutic gardening, back on the agenda
‘They’d be sent to the farm as social prescribing, to work with me for a short programme, sometimes longer. Back in history, ‘hospitals for the mental health’ had grounds that were used for farming – growing food, caring for animals and medicinal herbs. Then it was recognised by doctors as beneficial to help calm the mind and restore the person back to a sense of balance. We’ve gone full circle and doctors are helping their patients by directing them to sources and resources which could help them that are not just prescribed medicines.’
Gardening in its simplest form
'The small plants will start to grow and have form. People start to feel they can do more of this. They’re inspired to get their next exciting plant and the area starts to fill. Butterflies and bees start to appear and they observe the change they’re helping to create.’
