Thrive Horticultural Therapy Organization's Annual Report - March 2010

Using gardening to change lives
Annual Report and Financial Statements
Year ended 31 March 2010

Thrive Annual Report and Financial Statements Year ended March 2010
© Helen Jermyn

‘‘
My doctors say that since I started gardening,
the improvement has been obvious. They
hope that soon I will be able to move into a
house or flat of my own. I just hope it has a
garden!
’’
Gavin – head injury sufferer

2


Last year we worked to meet the
following aims
a) Improve the knowledge and skills of more d) Promote the benefits of gardening for disabled
disabled people so they benefit from gardening people
Sixty three per cent of our expenditure was focused on This year Thrive averaged 13 pieces of media coverage
delivering this central aim. This year we launched ten each month giving 36 million people the opportunity to
new specific projects offering a range of services to hear, see or read about the charity as well as running over
help people with differing needs. We saw a 20 per cent 100 roadshows, talks and workshops.
increase in the number of people we have been able e) Build an effective organisation
to support with just over 7,500 people seeking advice, The revised Memorandum of Association was activated
training and information to enable them to harness the following approval by the Charity Commission and we
benefits of gardening at home. Demand continued at our welcomed one new Trustee. We continued to improve
two garden projects with a further 300 adults and young our success in raising income, particularly restricted
people taking part in structured horticultural therapy income which gives an additional level of stability.
programmes. There has been significant work in the development of
b) Improve the skills and knowledge of 500 health measurement tools. These enable us to evaluate the
and education professionals in the use of gardening impact of participating in gardening for an individual.
and social and therapeutic horticulture We have made real progress on developing this
Almost 750 professionals in health, education and social measurement tool further to allow us to show the impact
care have taken part in a variety of training throughout of specific projects.
the year and a further 15,000 accessed information and
promotional material indirectly.
c) Increase the range of evidence related to
gardening and disability
A range of evidence was created throughout the year,
but the main piece we were able to publish was on
completion of Just 30! Gardening for Hearts and Minds
a project for those who experienced a stroke or heart
attack. Our objective was to encourage patients to
take a greater personal involvement in managing their
rehabilitation using gardening. The evidence shows

‘‘
80 per cent are now doing so whilst 60 per cent of
patients reported having healthier lifestyles as a result of I particularly enjoy coming to Thrive as it
gardening. gives me a sense of some independence
and I am treated like an adult. The gardening
tasks help me build my strength and stamina,
which then helps me do a few things for
myself at home.
’’
Ade – hydrocephalus and epilepsy sufferer

3


Contents

Page

About Thrive 6–13
Reference and administrative details 6–7

Chairman’s report 2010 8

Structure 9

Our vision and mission 10

Our aims 11

Key activities delivering our aims 12

Who benefited from our services? 13

Our work in 2009–2010 14–22
Improving the knowledge and skills of disabled people 14–16

Improving the skills and knowledge of health and education professionals 17–18

Increasing the range of evidence related to gardening and disability 19–20

Promoting the benefits of gardening for disabled people 21–22

Your contribution 24

Financial Statements 25–42
Financial review 26

Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities 28

Independent auditor’s report 29

Statement of financial activities 30–32

Notes forming part of the financial statements 33–42

Thanks 43

4


© Helen Jermyn

Report of the Trustees

5


Reference and administrative details
of the charity, its Trustees and advisers for the year ended 31 March 2010

Trustees

Mr David Aitchison-Tait TD Retired Managing Director of a UK commercial grounds maintenance company
Chairman and Liveryman of the Gardeners Company.

Sir Richard Thompson KCVO Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist at St Thomas’ Hospital since 1972
Vice Chairman, and Treasurer of the Royal College of Physicians.
Chairman, RAG Committee

Mr Howard Symonds FCCA Recently retired as the Financial Director of an assembly and manufacturing
Treasurer and Chairman company after a long career in finance. A member of the Association of Chartered
PI Committee and Certified Accountants for over 30 years.

Ms Lin Conway Twenty years experience of practising as a solicitor with the last ten years spent
Appointed Oct 09 as an HR manager, freelance trainer, and as a coach and mentor.

Mr Stephen Davies Former Vice Principal of Sparsholt College, Winchester with experience in all
Chairman, aspects of professional horticulture and further education.
Nominations Committee

Mr Brian Donohoe MP Member of Parliament for Central Ayrshire.

Miss Sally Dymott MBE Retired UK and overseas Occupational Health Manager with ESSO/EXXON
Chairman, HR Committee and an MBE for her services to nursing.

Mr Felix Fitch A highly experienced Fund Manager and Investment Director.

Mrs Prunella Scarlett LVO Now retired, Prunella has worked for the Royal Commonwealth Society
and was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in 1993.

Ms Philippa Slinger Chief Executive of the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust following a long career
in healthcare specialising in mental health.

Mr Andrew Fisher Tomlin A specialist in horticulture and design, running an international company
specialising in designing and building residential gardens and public open spaces.

Resigned or retired in 2009

Mr Jeremy Bayliss – resigned October 2009
Dr Robert Maxwell CVO, CBE – retired July 2009

The Chairman is an ex-officio member of every committee.

6


Senior management team

To 31 March 2010
Ms Nicola Carruthers Chief Executive
Mr Stephen Barry Head of Sales and Marketing (from November 2009)
Ms Cath Rickhuss Training and Education Manager
Ms Susan Stuart Garden Manager, Battersea
Ms Susan Tabor Garden Manager, Trunkwell
Mr Mike Wells Head of Support Services and Company Secretary

Company registered number: 1415700
Charity registered number: 277570

Registered office and principal operating office
The Geoffrey Udall Centre
Trunkwell Park
Beech Hill
Reading
Berkshire
RG7 2AT

Auditor Solicitors
James Cowper LLP Field Seymour and Parkes
Statutory Auditor The Old Coroner’s Court
Phoenix House 1 London Street
50 Bartholomew Street PO Box 174
Newbury Reading
RG14 5QA RG1 4QW

Bankers Bircham Dyson Bell LLP
HSBC 50 Broadway
24 Market Place London
Frome SW1H 0BL
Somerset
Wiltshire
BA11 1AJ

7


Chairman’s report 2010

This year we said farewell to two where a limited number of gardeners unable to pay
Trustees: our last Treasurer Robert for themselves or secure funding from other sources
Maxwell at the end of his term and can attend one of our projects with the cost borne by
Jeremy Bayliss who had to resign due Thrive. This, alongside other free services, we believe,
to poor health. A new trustee joined: more than meets our obligations to public benefit.
Lin Conway, a solicitor who now In our gardens we are also developing an improved
runs the HR department for a firm of measurement tool so we can demonstrate better the
solicitors, but we have a nomination benefits gardeners get from horticultural therapy. At our
process which continues to appoint Battersea garden we are confident that we will be able
new trustees for the coming year. to start the redevelopment of the main garden site in the
The Board meets five times during Autumn of 2010, having now finished the work at the
the year. The highlights of our work on herb garden site and with over 70 per cent of the funding
governance included adopting our new in place.
Memorandum and Articles of Association Looking at our work nationally we have greatly improved
and revisiting the methodology on the risks register which our information service by reworking our two web sites.
has resulted in a stronger procedure. Finally, we have set During the year we dealt with some 3,000 in-depth
in place annual Trustee appraisals which were carried out requests for further information; the service is provided
in January. The Board also held its first open meeting for free. Our work continues with the main groups we
our stakeholders in July. The Board minutes are published help: those with mental illness, heart disease, stroke
on the Thrive web site – www.thrive.org.uk – if you want survivors, those in the early stages of dementia and
further information on our work. people with learning disabilities. Our training and support
Thrive, as you will read below, continues to increase its of professionals interested or engaged in therapeutic
services through our national reach and two gardens. horticulture continues. You may not be aware that this
Some of the highlights are as follows. is a very diverse group coming from many professional
At our Garden Projects we have increased the numbers backgrounds.
of clients or as we prefer to call them ‘Thrive Gardeners’. With the financial crisis continuing though the year, Thrive
We have been able to do this by starting ten new has done well to increase income, although unrestricted
projects, six of which have funding going forward into income generation has been challenging. Overall our
2010. The Board agreed to put in place a scheme income has increased by 12 per cent. We have been able
to reduce reliance on drawing on our reserves which the
trustees consider to be important for the sustainability of
Thrive. In this year due to changes requested by auditors
and detailed in the Treasurer’s report this has resulted in
a surplus, however we continue to address the need to
reduce the operating deficit. As you will see below, a fact
we are very proud of is that 85p in every pound is used to
benefit others.
In our next report we will be able to report on our first
garden at Chelsea; this no doubt will raise the profile
of horticultural therapy and Thrive with the inevitable
benefit of introducing more people to the ways in which
‘gardening can change lives’.
Our work would not be possible without the hard work
and dedication of our staff, volunteers both individual and
corporate, as well as the many varied organisations and
individuals who support us financially.

David Aitchison-Tait
© Kate May

Chairman

8


Structure

The Trustees (who are also directors of the charity for After the selection procedure and nomination by the
the purposes of the Companies Act) present their annual Board, new Trustees undertake a formal, but flexible,
report together with the audited financial statements induction process. This includes an induction pack and
of Society for Horticultural Therapy (the company) for handbook and the opportunity for them to spend time
the year ended 31 March 2010. The Trustees confirm at the charity where they are briefed directly by staff.
that the Annual report and financial statements of They are encouraged to visit the Thrive Garden Projects
the company comply with the current statutory and meet disabled people being supported by Thrive as
requirements, the requirements of the company’s well as volunteers and staff. Internal training is offered
governing document and the provisions of the Statement on specific topics after discussion and agreement by
of Recommended Practice (SORP) Accounting and the HR committee. Trustees are encouraged to attend
Reporting by Charities issued in March 2005. appropriate external training days.
The company also trades under the name Thrive.
Risk management
Our legal structure, governance and The Trustees are responsible for overseeing the charity’s
administrative details risk management activities. In 2009 the Trustee Board
The Society for Horticultural Therapy is also known as enhanced its management of risks with the creation
Thrive. It is registered as a charity (number 277570) with of a business risk register which is reviewed at every
the Charity Commission for England and Wales. It is Board Meeting. In addition a formal risk-management
registered as a limited company (number 1415700). process reviews operational risks every six months.
Risks are prioritised in terms of potential impact,
Thrive was established under the terms of its governing likelihood of occurrence, and mitigations identified.
Memorandum and Articles of Association in 1978 which As part of this process, the Trustees have reviewed
were updated in 2009 and is constituted as a company the Charity’s current controls which, in their opinion, are
limited by guarantee. adequate to mitigate the potential and perceived risks of
The Board currently comprises 11 Trustees who delegate the Charity. It is recognised that any control system can
the day-to-day running of the charity to the Chief only provide reasonable but not absolute assurance that
Executive Officer and five senior managers. major risks have been adequately managed.
The Trustee Board meets five times a year for formal
business meetings at which long-term strategy, current
direction and finance are considered. The business
plan and budget are approved in March and reviewed
quarterly. The Treasurer monitors the budget monthly
and provides updates at each Board meeting.
In addition, Trustees have four committees which report
to the main Trustee Board for decisions. The Board
delegates some of the investigation and specific strategic
input to the committees.
The Property and Investment Committee reviews
and monitors the performance of Thrive’s investment
portfolio, including properties held.
The Human Resources (HR) Committee guides
on Governance, HR and health and safety matters
The Nominations Committee is responsible for
reviewing skills of the Board and proposing new
Trustees to the Board
The Research Advisory Group supports the Board
in proposed research.
© James Finlay

9


Our Vision and Mission

The benefits of gardening
Thrive’s Vision Gardening offers a range of tasks and, irrespective
of age or ability, can support people in reaching their
To enable those touched by a disability
goals. Gardening can bring profound change from
to transform their lives using gardening.
improvements in physical or psychological health to
adjustments in beliefs, attitudes and behaviours to the
Thrive’s Mission transformation of skills, knowledge and abilities.

Using our passion for the power of Three out of four disabled people found that gardening
gardening to change the lives of people has been beneficial to their health.
touched by a disability, Thrive will: One in three believes gardening has ongoing health
benefits.
teach practical and creative ways to use
One in five reports that gardening has helped them
gardening
through a period of mental or physical ill health.
learn more about how gardening helps
people From the survey: Levels of interest and participation in
talk about what we do and how we help gardening among individuals with a disability Mintel 2006
using gardening for Thrive.
work with individuals and organisations. The five key benefits of gardening are:
better physical health – gardening is a form of
exercise which can be used in rehabilitation or
Achieving our Mission rebuilding strength after an accident or illness
improved psychological health – a wealth of
In compiling this report we have referred to the guidance
evidence shows the positive effects of gardening
contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance
on our mental health including its ability to help us
on public benefit and compiled the review of our aims
become more optimistic
and objectives to reflect how our activities deliver public
social benefits – gardening offers an activity which
benefit.
can help people to connect with others and an
Whilst Thrive reviews its aims, objectives and activities opportunity to improve social and communication
every year, there is one constant in how we meet those skills
aims – the use of gardening to transform the lives of qualifications and skills – a recognised
disabled people. horticultural qualification can increase the chances
of employment. Taking part in structured gardening
activities also offers the opportunity to improve
skills such as initiative-taking and co-operation as
well as numeracy and literacy, all of which are
useful in all areas of life
access to the natural environment – being
outside, getting fresh air and seeing things grow
are important to us as human beings.
© Helen Jermyn

10


Our aims

These fully reflect the object and purposes for which the
charity was originally founded in 1978.
Improve the skills and knowledge of disabled people
so they can benefit from gardening.
Improve the skills and knowledge of health and
education professionals in the use of gardening and
social and therapeutic horticulture.
Increase the range of evidence related to gardening
and disability.
Promote the benefits of gardening for disabled
people.

© Helen Jermyn
Case study

Finally, he was diagnosed with dementia two years ago.
Simon took part in a 12-month Thrive-funded research
project dedicated to younger people with dementia that
has greatly improved the quality of his life.
“Although the diagnosis was horrific, it was actually
a huge relief to us both. Simon in particular was able
to begin to rationalise why he had felt as he had for
the last few years,” explains Sally.
Because Simon had always enjoyed gardening,
undertaking many projects in his own garden and even
running a gardening business for a short time, Sally
thought that Thrive, which she had heard about from
a nursing colleague, would work for him.
© Helen Jermyn

“Thrive has a beautiful, peaceful environment,” says
Sally. “I think Simon feels ‘normal’ there as it is about
as far removed from ‘day centre’ care as is possible.
There is a feeling of freedom and it has helped him

Simon have a sense of purpose and raised his self esteem.
Cooking some of the produce he has helped to grow
Fifty-five-year old Simon, a former microbiologist and is a great end result which we can share.”
senior manager, was just 49 when he first started having “For me Thrive is probably the only place of the several
problems with his memory, concentration and initiating which Simon attends which I don’t feel guilty about him
new projects. He took early retirement when he was 50, going to. I think the whole ethos of the place addresses
but his condition was still undiagnosed and mistaken for his needs. He always looks forward to going (rain or
other issues such as depression and ‘mid-life crisis’. shine) and to see him laughing and joking with staff
Meanwhile his problems, including his ability to and clients he has made friends with is fantastic. The
communicate, worsened putting a strain on his staff and volunteers without exception are wonderful,”
relationship with his two children and his wife Sally. says Sally.

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Key activities delivering our aims

Providing a range of services, practical support
and inspiration for disabled people including a free
information service and access to Thrive’s information
resources which have been collated and developed over
‘‘ I am so proud to have been part of this.
My group came in not wanting to talk and
now they do. By working in the garden they
30 years. These now include two websites
www.thrive.org.uk and www.carryongardening.org.uk.
The latter has techniques and tools that can make
have gained so much confidence.
Louise – Therapist at Battersea ’’
everyday gardening jobs easier; a specialist library and
a wide variety of published print and audio material.
Thrive also runs specialist services for people with sight
loss, those affected by heart disease or recovering Providing health, social care and education
from stroke, older disabled people and those who professionals, with resources and learning
have dementia. In addition Thrive operates two opportunities. Thrive’s education team runs a variety
‘Garden Projects’ (Battersea Park, London and Beech of short courses, bespoke training and consultancy. In
Hill, Reading) where a variety of structured social and partnership with Coventry University we offer the only
therapeutic horticultural programmes are offered to meet professional diploma in social and therapeutic horticulture
health, therapy or training needs of disabled people. in the UK. The team actively engages in supporting
professionals in their work with disabled people. This
includes encouraging garden projects to adopt Cultivating
Quality, a unique quality assurance scheme developed
with the Charities Evaluation Service aimed at improving
11 operating standards and a small membership scheme
which allows professionals to access specialist resources
and the quarterly magazine Growth Point.
Working in partnership with research specialists,
universities and Thrive’s own horticultural therapy
professionals to build an evidence base which clearly
demonstrates, substantiates and enables improved
efficacy in the use of gardening to benefit disabled
people.
Promoting the benefits of gardening through a
variety of means including attending exhibitions and
conferences, giving talks, running specialist events and
using media opportunities to reach out to disabled people
and those who can influence change for disabled people,
as well as the wider public who are interested.

‘‘ My husband was in a very high-powered job
and used to fly the world. And suddenly, the
strokes changed his whole life. He stopped
wanting to talk; I think perhaps because he
thought people wouldn’t understand him.
Thrive has given him his confidence back.
’’
© Helen Jermyn

Ann – wife of stroke sufferer

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Who benefited from our services?

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the Users of Thrive services were aged between 14 and
guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general 85 years old; they had a diverse range of disabilities
guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s with some viewed as hardest to reach as well as many
aims and objectives and in planning future activities and living on or below the poverty line. It is widely accepted
setting the objectives for the year. that poverty and disability are closely linked. Whilst we
The Government estimates that there are over 10 million will continue to offer access to all disabled people we
disabled people in the UK. Our own research carried out recognise that focusing on specific needs will benefit
by Mintel in 2006 shows that over 2.8 million disabled users and improve outcomes and impact. This is part of
people have an interest in gardening and could potentially our strategic direction and is focussed on working with
benefit from Thrive services. Access to our services is those who have specific disabilities. Each disability has
not restricted, however use and demand as in previous major health, education or social issues within them.
years varied and was predominantly from those living in Our goal is to be part of a meaningful solution building
England, whilst the Garden Projects worked with those services around their needs.
from the south of the UK. Funding also limits those
we are able to help. All projects funded from restricted a) Those who want their life back – these
income are free to users as well as all the broader are people who experience something
reaching services such as the information service and all unexpected which affects them profoundly,
its resources. often with physical repercussions. They want
to regain what they perceive as ‘lost’.
Thrive Focus – stroke survivors
b) Those who want a different life – these
people see that the life they were leading is
not what they want for their future. They may
have experienced some sort of mental illness
such as depression, or a life-changing event
has occurred which has led them to re-think
their priorities and direction.
Thrive Focus – those who want to improve
mental health
c) Those who want the best life they can
have – these people have been born with
a disability or become disabled, often as
they age. They may include people who are
experiencing a degenerative disease such as
dementia or multiple sclerosis.
Thrive Focus – young adults with learning
disabilities and older people including
those with dementia

‘‘ When you lose your sight there are lots
of things you can’t do, but you can do
gardening. It opened up a whole new

’’
© Helen Jermyn

world for me.
Sue – member of Bradford Blind Gardeners Club

13


Our work in 2009-2010

The main areas of charitable activity are linked
directly to the four aims detailed below. The activities
that take place to meet these aims as well as our
achievements are detailed below alongside financial
‘‘ I know that gardening has brought us
together and it has given us something
else to talk about other than the next door
information. neighbour or the weather!
’’
Resident – Thrive sheltered housing project

Aim: To improve the knowledge and skills
of disabled people so they benefit from
gardening.
Target: Develop at least two new projects which
either take existing projects forward or link to Thrive’s
Target: Increase to 7,500 the number of disabled focus areas.
people directly benefiting from Thrive’s knowledge, This year Thrive has developed ten new projects and six
experience and information. have funding secured. This included a short-term project,
Thrive reached just over 7,700 disabled people during the Gardening Together for older people living in sheltered
year. Almost 350 people took part in the programmes housing to engage, enjoy and benefit from gardening
offered by the two Garden Projects and specific specialist which was funded and delivered in the last six months
projects, roadshows and workshops reached a further of the year. In January 2010 we launched two projects.
4,500 and the remainder sought advice, guidance and Life after Stroke is a two-year project providing gardening
support through the information service whilst Thrive’s therapy for 200 adults who have been discharged from
website visits increased by 17 per cent during the year. hospital following a stroke through regular sessions
at their local stroke club. Initial interest has been high.
Working it Out is a two-year structured training scheme
for 95 people with mental health needs aiming to give
people qualifications, work experience and therapeutic
support.
Case study

came out of hospital, I was a shadow of the former me.
I had never been ill before and found it hard to come to
terms with what had happened,” she explains.
The Thrive programme which helps up to 44 people
who have experienced mental health issues each year
was vital in helping Shona rebuild her life. She says she
was able to realise her goals of rebuilding confidence,
feeling positive about her future; getting back to work
and getting used to life again.
After gaining a horticulture qualification Shona became
a volunteer at Wandsworth MIND where she set up
and helped to run a gardening group providing low cost
gardening for local residents. Her confidence and skills

Shona went from strength to strength and she has recently
been offered a place as a volunteer at the Chelsea
Shona joined Thrive’s Pathways programme a year ago. Physic Garden.
Pathways aims to help people living with mental ill health “I can’t thank Thrive enough for getting me the work at
to overcome their barriers to independence and become MIND. It was a big boost that I was recommended in
volunteers. Shona had suffered a paranoid psychosis – the first place, and really helped me get my wonderful
her first-ever experience of mental ill health. A former new job.”
bookkeeper she was frightened about her future and
Photograph posed by model and our gardener’s name has been
suffered from severe lack of confidence. “When I first changed.

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Target: Renew efforts to progress the redevelopment
of facilities, programmes and projects available at
Thrive’s Battersea Garden Project, thereby increasing
participant numbers.
From three separate gardens we work with people
aged from 14 to 85 years old from some of the most
disadvantaged areas within the six inner boroughs of
London. We have dramatically increased the number
of people we help at the garden and in the wider
community. In the last year we have introduced five
new structured gardening programmes including one for
stroke survivors, another for people who have dementia,
and extended Growing Options – a project for young
disabled teenagers in London. We are now working with
134 people directly an increase of 70 over the previous
year. We have completed the refurbishment of the herb
garden site and its facilities.

Target: Launch the improved information service and
improve information available as well as its reach
particularly through the web.
The service was re-launched in July 2009 and reached
its target to answer 3,000 enquiries. The team has
systematically improved the materials and has taken
responsibility for the website content.

Target: Continue to improve feedback and
engagement of disabled people in the development
of services.
© James Finlay

Gardening for Hearts and Minds (GFHM) and the National
Blind Gardeners Club (NBGC) advisory groups were
very active during the year. The latter were integral in the
Target: Establish the Green Circle and Gardening selection of the winners for the Blind Gardener of the Year
Memories projects and their resources. Competition and gave significant input into the creation
of new publications for those with a visual impairment.
Gardening Memories launched in September 2009 and
The GFHM members worked on the creation of podcasts
will run until July 2011. It is aimed at working at home
and videos for use by those who have had a stroke
with those who have dementia and their carers. Taster
and are living with aphasia. There were also ongoing
sessions have taken place to drive referrals as well as
questionnaires and consultation sessions with a variety
the distribution of information flyers into GP surgeries
of groups who helped in the creation of new projects
and to other relevant organisations. Green Circle is a
and for which we have either secured or are still seeking
two-year project supporting older people to maintain
funding. This includes projects for severely disabled
their independence, particularly after an episode of
teenagers, adults and older people with mental health
illness. Referrals for specific help have been for a variety
challenges and adults recovering from a stroke.
of reasons, whilst 400 self-help guides containing
information on using gardening for health, reducing
maintenance needs, choosing tools and changes to
design as well as a self assessment tool have been
distributed.

15


Our work in 2009-2010 (continued)

During the year Thrive spent £1,091,581 in meeting Hearts and Minds, funded by the Department of Health,
this aim: £346,309 of the expenditure came from for stroke survivors and those with heart diseases form
the restricted income which was predominantly other important cornerstones to our work. They help
from Trusts and Charitable Foundations; unrestricted us reach specific constituencies of disabled people and
expenditure of £745,272 came directly from public meet their needs as well as affording us the opportunity
donations. The remainder was met from Thrive’s to work in partnership with others to meet mutual aims.
reserves and other sources.
The two Garden Projects are focused on meeting the Key goals for 2010–2011
needs of disabled people and communities locally. They Improve the skills and knowledge of 8,000
offer therapeutic projects at the garden sites and in 2009 disabled people.
we had specifically increased their reach by offering Launch four new projects linked to Thrive’s
access to projects operating in the local community. They areas of focus.
are also vital in helping us put principles into best practice, In addition to existing services develop further
improve efficacy and enabling us to trial applications. In projects, programmes and activities which
so doing, we will ensure we meet the needs of a broader continue to meet the needs of disabled people.
national disabled audience. Importantly they also help us Secure the remaining funding and begin the
to gain public interest not only in gardening and its benefit redevelopment of Thrive’s Battersea Garden
but in the issues, challenges and success of those who Project main facilities.
have a disability.
Our information service, website, publications
roadshows and workshops enable us to reach a broader
geographical audience of thousands more people across
the UK. Operating two national projects – National
Blind Gardeners Club, funded by the Big Lottery and in
partnership with the RNIB, and Just 30! Gardening for
Case study

Day, in May last year changed all this – he found he was
able to meet other blind gardeners and could share his
tips with both them and other Thrive staff.
His mother, Dorothy was delighted with the contacts
he made. “Normally Nicholas finds it difficult to
communicate because of his autism, but he enjoyed
the day so much. He was very talkative and animated
both during and after the day. Gardening helps Nicholas
improve his communication skills; his ability to deal with
others and his self confidence,” she says.
Because of his involvement with Thrive’s National
Nicholas Blind Gardeners’ Club, his confidence has continued
Nicholas, a member of Thrive’s National Blind to develop. He now helps elderly people tend their
Gardeners’ Club, won third place in Thrive’s 2009 Blind gardens and works one day a week as a volunteer
Gardeners of the Year Competition. The judges were gardener at Chartwell National Trust Property.
very impressed with his enthusiasm and eagerness to “Gardening enables me to stay fit,” says Nicholas.
share his gardening knowledge. Although Nicholas had I enjoy continually learning about plants and speaking to
been an enthusiastic gardener since he was a little boy, people about new varieties and how to cultivate them.
communication hadn’t always been easy for him because I do not think I could live without my plants and garden.
he is autistic. However his attendance at a Thrive Open They give me immeasurable pleasure.”
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Aim: To improve the skills and knowledge Target: Deliver a variety of training and resources to
of 500 health and education professionals meet professionals’ needs including accreditation for
in the use of gardening and social and at least one short course.
therapeutic horticulture. This year we have directly reached, through 22 training
days and 32 workshops, almost 750 professionals and
Target: Successfully integrate all aspects of existing a further 15,000 indirectly through information and
national projects into training and education. promotional material. In total 6,400 professionals regularly
receive the training and education e-newsletter.
The National Blind Gardeners Club Project now has over
600 club members and published two new specialist
books Getting on with Gardening and Getting on
with Growing in Containers, as well as their quarterly
newsletter. We also ran a successful Blind Gardener of
the Year competition.
We entered the final year of funding for Just 30!
Gardening for Hearts and Minds Project and have
now distributed 15,000 self help guides, 900 starter
packs and hold contact details for almost 1,500
rehabilitation professionals with whom we now regularly
communicate. Our evaluation shows that 90 per cent of
professionals said the guide had helped them improve
their knowledge about the choice of rehabilitation
activities for their patients.
© Helen Jermyn
Case study

The course involved considerable travelling as Mary
lives in Scotland but she says it was very worthwhile.
“I enjoyed the studying, gained considerable
knowledge on broad areas of horticulture, ‘got hands
on’ with practical sessions and picked up very useful
tips relating to tools and activities which I have since
transferred to my work place.”
She explains that her time at Thrive was particularly
useful. “I was able to see and explore social and
therapeutic horticulture in practice. There were
opportunities to discuss methods, experience practical
solutions and see innovative ideas to implement in our
workplace.”
Mary Mary graduated from the programme in November last
Mary, a health and social services manager and also an year and is now working as a horticulture therapist at
occupational therapist with an interest in flowers and L’Arche in Inverness a community for people who have
plants, decided to resign from her job in 2008 and become learning disabilities where she had volunteered during
a student again for the first time in 30 years. She was her training.
delighted to be accepted on the Professional Development “Following my dream has brought me a new career
Diploma in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture distance which I thoroughly enjoy and I am currently taking
learning course based at Coventry University in conjunction forward my feasibility study with the hope of having my
with Warwickshire College and Thrive. own STH project,” says Mary.
17



Target: Identify and instigate differing and possibly how they can harness the power of gardening and use
alternative ways for professionals to access training. it to benefit those in their care.
We have investigated the options available and decided Reaching out to those health, education and social care
that at this point in time it would be better for us to professionals working directly with disabled people is
improve the course on offer through accreditation then an important strategy for Thrive. If we can build their
consider further alternative delivery methods. A review of expertise in using gardening it will ultimately benefit
delivery options is due in January 2011. those with whom they work and ensure we reach an
even larger and more diverse disabled audience.
During the year Thrive spent £198,679 in meeting this
aim with £55,000 of income generated from restricted Key goals for 2010–2011
sources and a further £99,111 generated directly towards Implement the transition strategy for training
meeting expenditure. and education which offers learners a ‘pick
As a result of surveys amongst professionals we are now and mix’ framework of accredited and
refining our course programme. In 2010 we will have informal learning.
a new introductory social and therapeutic horticulture Directly reach through training and
course and continue to work towards the launch in 2011 workshops 700 health, social care or
of accredited courses. This has taken us longer than education professionals.
expected due to the requirements for accreditation. Implement a successful exit strategy for the
Furthermore we have launched Gardening Choices a National Blind Gardeners Club project.
funded initiative which enables us to teach and provide
resource materials to mental health professionals as to

18


Aim: To increase the range of evidence
related to gardening and disability.
‘‘ Before my placement I didn’t know much
about horticultural therapy, but Thrive has
Target: Review the current research strategy and helped me see how worthwhile it is. It has
implement any recommendations. such a positive impact on clients’ health and
well-being. I will definitely integrate it into my

’’
This has been completed and we are now clearly
future placements and practice.
focused on: supporting specific individuals who are
Heather – Occupational Therapy student
carrying out research as part of their university studies;
Thrive therapists undertaking small scale research;
utilising evidence collated from Thrive programmes and
projects; utilising research and studies published in the completion of the project at the end of May. The project
UK and overseas relevant to the work of Thrive. itself has also been entered for an award with Berkshire
Healthcare Trust as an example of good practice. If the
Target: Run the young onset dementia research. results from this small scale pilot are promising then
A programme aimed at devising and evaluating a Berkshire Healthcare Trust is keen to apply for research
gardening programme for those who are younger funding.
and in the earlier stages of dementia.
We had originally planned to have up to 20 participants in Target: Collate the evidence from existing national
this pilot study. However due to recruitment difficulties and regional projects to demonstrate the benefit of
we reduced this to ten and are working with the Head gardening for specific disabilities and disseminate it
of Child Psychology at Reading University. We have to relevant professionals.
been collecting data which will be published after the The work here has focused on Just 30! Gardening for
Hearts and Minds. Evidence of the benefits of gardening
for those who have had a stroke or heart attack has
now been collated from this project and over 1,500
professionals have been advised. The objective of the
project was to encourage patients to take a greater
personal involvement and self management of their
rehabilitation which was successfully accomplished
with 80 per cent claiming they were taking greater
personal involvement. Sixty per cent of patients were
also reported as having a healthier lifestyle as a result and
almost all agreed that gardening activities can enhance
existing rehabilitation programmes.

During the year, Thrive spent £36,266 on research
activities. All research activities are currently funded by
Thrive from designated funds.
Being able to substantiate claims and clearly
demonstrate how and what people with different
disabilities gain from participation in gardening remain
important to Thrive. In our view, research enables
disabled people to make informed choices as to how
they might use a leisure activity to reach a variety of
their health, education or life goals. For professionals
it provides a convincing argument.
Linked to this is an improved measurement system to
© Helen Jermyn

enable us to clearly demonstrate behavioural change over
time and thereby show specific benefits of gardening
activities.
19



Over the last year we have devised, trialled and are now
implementing a new behavioural measurement tool. Key goals for 2010–2011
The tool measures specific and often key behavioural
Create and trial a measurement tool for
changes identified for a specific individual or group with
specific restricted income projects which
specific disabilities. To date our work covers those who
enables Thrive to gather evidence and
have autism, dementia, children with additional needs,
measure the success of the project with
stroke survivors, those with a visual impairment, those
regards to specific benefits.
with mental health needs as well as adults with a learning
Utilise new behavioural measurement tool
disability. This has enabled us to identify at an individual
data to demonstrate specific individual
level how a specific programme could be of benefit. Next
benefits.
year we will be taking this tool up to a programme and
Complete Young Onset Dementia pilot and
project level.
publish findings.
Create the first peer reviewed article for
publication.
Case study

to being surrounded by people; working very quickly and
talking quickly too.
Overnight all this had changed... “I felt very alone, but
I managed to learn how to dress myself, bath myself
and cook for myself and my husband. I did not want a
carer. There were other people worse off than me.”
Progress, she says, was difficult and slow and people
didn’t understand her problems. Although she could do
so many things for herself she lost her confidence when
shopping because people would either not understand
what she was trying to say or think she had a mental
health illness. Sometimes shop assistants would refuse
to serve her. Consequently Dora didn’t want to speak
much outside the home.
But attendance at a Thrive’s Life after Stroke group
© Helen Jermyn

changed all that. Once a week for three months Dora
worked at Thrive’s Battersea project in the Herb Garden.
She explains that when the group first met everyone
was very silent, but that this changed through gardening

Dora and the skills of Louise their horticulture therapist.
“Our therapist Louise is wonderful – she taught me
When Dora came off her shift as a care worker one so much about plants – their healing properties as well
evening, she lay down as usual but then felt her mouth as how to grow and look after them. It gave me the
go numb and then numbness in her side. She feared a confidence to look after my garden again too!”
stroke and called an ambulance.
With the other group members, Dora grew a huge
Later, the hospital confirmed her fears; she had variety of plants from seed and made a scarecrow for
suffered a stroke that left her with problems speaking the garden. She soon earned a reputation as being
and paralysis of her right side. Slowly but surely Dora, one of the most talkative and cheerful members of the
a bright, cheery woman, worked hard to regain her group. “The group made me so happy – I felt better
mobility, her speech and her independence. about talking to people; and after a day working in the
As a care worker and also in her other job as a cleaner for herb garden I slept so well.”
ex-prime minister Margaret Thatcher she had been used
20


Aim: To promote the benefits of gardening Thrive carried out almost 100 workshops, roadshows and
for disabled people. events at garden centres, specific local organisations and
disability associations giving attendees the opportunity
not only to learn about Thrive but to gain specific practical
Target: Increase the likelihood and opportunities for
advice and information about using gardening to their
disabled people to hear about Thrive through a variety
benefit.
of means including websites and PR. This year Thrive
averaged 13 pieces of media coverage each month
giving 36 million people the opportunity to hear, see or Target: Increase awareness of Thrive in the South
read about the charity. Furthermore the coverage with of England specifically in the locality of our garden
health, education or social care professionals delivered projects.
a further 3 million opportunities.
Most of the coverage for the year focused in the south
During 2009 we continued to improve the Thrive with just over 17 million people having the opportunity to
website by adding functionality including Facebook and see, hear or read about Thrive.
Twitter and by sending e-newsletters every quarter,
the numbers of which have been steadily increasing as
people sign up to receive it. This has all helped to raise Target: Implement evaluation process which assesses
visitor numbers to the Thrive website by almost 17 per not just ‘opportunity to see’ but potential impact and
cent over the previous year. awareness levels.
Unfortunately this was not completed during the year
and is under consideration for the following year as part
Target: Raise awareness of Thrive through local
of the discussions and plans to improve impact reporting.
and national events including roadshows, talks and
demonstrations as well as PR.
© Helen Jermyn

21



During the year Thrive spent £154,487 in meeting this Over 18 million adults have an interest in gardening with
aim. This compares favourably with the value for the almost 90 per cent of the population able to access a
level of coverage achieved through the media which we garden, but little main stream media coverage is given to
estimate to be close to £375,000 if we were to have the 2.5 million disabled people who also have an interest,
purchased it. We have used PR, live ‘practical’ events, let alone information on how they can garden if they have
workshops and roadshows and virtual media to connect or develop a disability.
with disabled people. The website remains a vital tool.
We are particularly pleased this year with the successful
revamping of our websites. This has not only lifted visitor Key goals for 2010–2011
numbers, but we are now able to demonstrate that the Secure regular columns or features in
content is now meeting the needs of our audience. In appropriate disability magazines.
addition we have launched the first aphasic-friendly video Give 25 million people opportunities to hear,
guide on our website as well as podcasts to supplement read or see Thrive during the year.
the paper material. Use the launch of the Plant a Difference
It will remain essential for Thrive to continue to reach out campaign to generate interest.
to disabled people, their carers, organisations and the Maximise the opportunities afforded by a
professionals working with disabled people directly as Thrive garden at the RHS Chelsea flower
well as to the public at large if we are to be successful in show.
raising awareness of the potential benefits of gardening.
© Helen Jermyn

22

Thrive Horticultural Therapy Organization's Annual Report - March 2010

Thrive Horticultural Therapy Organization's Annual Report - March 2010

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Thrive Horticultural Therapy Organization's Annual Report - March 2010