Gardening Leave

January 2012

Gardening Leave is a charity which aims to improve the physical and mental health of serving and ex-Service people using horticultural therapy in walled gardens across the UK. Bringing ex-Service people together and encouraging them to take part in gardening activities can have positive results on their mental well-being. Gardening Leave states that its therapy is intended to provide ‘structure, routine and exercise’ all embedded characteristics of a military career and often lacking in civilian life, with the hope of helping people overcome feelings of isolation and lack of control. It says that walled gardens are used because they give a sense of privacy and security allowing people to relax.

The Trust donated towards the Bridgend Project, allotments on the south side of Edinburgh.