
The Food Partnership runs therapeutic gardening activities in a range of spaces, including their community gardens in Preston Park and Saunders Park (near Lewes Road, East Brighton) and the Garden House off Ditchling Road. The drop-in group at Saunders Park is used by a wide range of vulnerable adults and local residents.
Gardening groups for older people and those living with dementia use nature and the growing of plants to create meaningful social interactions for those who may be experiencing social isolation. Some courses are more focused on learning key food growing skills, while the dementia programme includes gentler activities to stimulate conversation and connection between volunteers and participants.
All programmes have in-built flexibility to accommodate both the individual’s and the group’s needs. Example activities include: seed saving and sowing, transplanting seedlings and harvesting flowers, fruit and vegetables. Sessions are relaxed and informal to create a welcoming and supportive atmosphere.

Type of activities:
Food growing / Cookery / Creative and arts

Specialist client experience:
Older people and those living with dementia.

“Coming here makes my day, you people are so kind to me and this is the garden of my dreams.”
– Dementia friendly gardening participant –
Location
Various outdoor locations, including home garden visits, Preston Park community garden, Saunders Park edible garden and the Garden House on Ditchling Road.
Contact
Project info
Transport provided:
None
Public transport and parking:
Various buses run to our main sites, see buses.co.uk
Drop-in:
Yes (Saunders Park only)
Time-limited course:
Yes
Availability:
Wednesdays and Thursdays
Facilities:
Toilet available at all sites. Indoor space is available at the Garden House and wheelchair access available at Preston Park. Refreshments are provided at every session.

Member projects
Brighton & Hove Food Partnership
Therapeutic gardening groups in Brighton, including activities for older people and those living with dementia.
Centre for Ecotherapy
Therapeutic gardening project in Stanmer Park, Brighton.
Grow
Grow offers people the chance to enjoy the beautiful, local countryside in a friendly and supportive group with locations across Sussex.
Plot 22
Plot 22 is a community allotment, a food growing project and therapeutic garden in Hove.
Rock Farm
Rock Farm is a working market garden, community space and horticultural therapy project on a 6-acre site near Steyning.
Sacred Earth
A community-owned land project near Horam, East Sussex that is dedicated to life, learning and working in harmony with nature.
Ipse Wilderness
Ipse lead multi-day therapeutic journeys across different wilderness spaces in the UK, weekend workshops and day walks across Sussex.
Wild Mind
A seven-week programme in Stanmer Park, Brighton - which takes participants on a journey into a deeper sense of awareness and connection with the natural world.
Wild Wellbeing
An ecotherapy organisation that runs walks, nature-connection workshops and one-to-one mentoring in Brighton & East Sussex.
Circle of Life Rediscovery
This project outside Lewes, East Sussex aims to transform education, health and families through nature.
The Plot (Stanmer Park)
A community-led sanctuary space for sharing and nurturing creativity, community spirit and connection.
The Wild Mind Project
Providing emotional and mental wellbeing support to young people through nature activities combined with creative activities.