Gardening Group Case Study

BWP’s gardening group gives families a safe, relaxed space to spend time together, meet others and enjoy being outdoors.

One family joined the group after experiencing a difficult and unsettled period at home. The parent felt isolated and lacked confidence attending new activities, while the children were anxious and often found it difficult to talk about their feelings.

At first, the family stayed close together and quietly watched what others were doing. With gentle encouragement, the children began planting seeds, watering flowers and helping to decorate pots. The activities gave them something positive to focus on without feeling pressured to talk.

Over time, the family became more comfortable. The children started joining in with other children, sharing equipment and proudly showing everyone what they had grown. Their parent began chatting with other adults and building supportive connections.

Gardening can be especially helpful for families affected by domestic abuse. It provides calm, predictable activities and gives children opportunities to make choices, care for something and see the results of their efforts. Planting a seed and watching it grow can also create a simple but powerful reminder that recovery and change take time.

By the end of the group, the family were arriving with more confidence and looking forward to taking part. The parent said that having somewhere welcoming to go had helped them feel less alone, while the children enjoyed having a space where they could relax, play and simply be themselves.

The gardening group is not only about growing plants. It is about helping families grow in confidence, strengthen relationships and begin creating positive new memories together.