"Growing Together - a community garden in the heart of Hackney bringing Well-being through Gardening"
St. Mary's Secret Garden is a beautiful and accessible urban garden which hosts a community of expert horticulturalists and volunteers with years of experience. We offer a safe space where people with support needs and the local community can get hands-on experience of gardening, experience a sense of inclusion and receive the benefits of horticultural therapy. This helps those in need combat isolation, develop valuable employment skills and contribute to a greener, healthier, happier world.
"Why the community needs us"
We provide an urban green space for all to access. We provide therapeutic horticultural placements for the most disabled and disadvantaged in inner city London. We provide training in gardening and 'growing your own' to community groups and individuals. We sell our organically grown produce and plants to local people.
"Our impact on the community"
Currently we are reaching over 120 people per week through the medium of horticulture. Our youngest gardener is 20 months old and our oldest is 87 yrs young. We have proven well being impacts. We are regular medal winners of the Hackney in Bloom competition. Our garden is open to all.