Thrive is a local charity based in Battersea Park, London. We provide social and therapeutic horticulture programmes to people with mental health support needs, long-term health conditions and disabilities. We have been delivering our lovely programmes in the park now for some time and we want to continue supporting people well into the future. This year, has without doubt, been a very stressful and challenging one, for a large part of lockdown, we had to close our centres and stop delivering sessions the gardens, greenhouses and buildings were left pretty much unattended as staff, clients and volunteers were not able to visit under the restrictions. We have been unable to fundraise as usual as many of our events such as kiosk sales, open gardens and fundraising challenges have been unable to go ahead, which in turn has meant a struggle to maintain our income.

During this second lockdown, with restrictions being lifted for support groups, we have been able to continue with delivering services to the people that need us; however, on returning to the centre, we found the heating broken and several areas in disrepair. This has come as a real blow to us, particularly for clients that rely on the building space in winter months for tabletop gardening and activities and group work.

We are reaching out to local businesses to see if you would be able to offer a donation towards the cost of the heating and repairs. Perhaps if you have had to cancel your staff Christmas party, you might like to donate the cost (or part of the cost) towards our appeal? In any case, anything you are able to do to help us will be very much appreciated.

Very best wishes from us all at Thrive London