Raising funds for curved benches in GreenHealth Thames Valley sensory garden

GreenHealth Thames Valley is a small charity based in Whitley, near Reading, Berkshire, UK that works with people with mental health challenges through horticultural therapy. You can read about the project on www.greenhealthreading.org

The garden is an opportunity to help people grow, not just plants. The project uses horticultural principles and practices working closely with nature. Whitley is the second most deprived area in England. The project works with people from across Reading.

Philip Rance and his sister Susanna are supporting GreenHealth in a campaign coordinated with horticultural therapist Sara Kopp. We are fundraising for some curved benches to be designed, built and installed around a circular space in the project's sensory garden. We will run the campaign until 30th September 2018. Our target amount is £1,500.

The benches will enable the garden's users, volunteers and visitors to feel more directly grounded as they sit with their feet on a grassy or paved area, absorbing the earth's energies and the beautiful environment.

Philip Rance, a member of the garden project, says: "Working in the garden project has improved my diet immensely. It has put me in touch with people who have similar mental health needs. One part of the garden is for growing produce, and the other part, which is new, is the sensory garden which has been created for young people to increase their awareness of nature. The benches would be aesthetically pleasing and enhance the value of the sensory garden."

Please support our curved benches campaign. Donations of any amount will be gratefully received and all funds raised will go to GreenHealth Thames Valley.

Feel free to circulate this campaign appeal on social media, by e-mail and word of mouth.

Thanks for reading this, and we look forward to your support!

Philip Rance - garden project member

Susanna Rance - relative

Sara Kopp - Horticultural Therapist