Green Dreams provides a two-hour gardening session per week for people experiencing low mental health or bereavement. The sessions include teamwork to enhance community gardens, guided therapeutic walks and nature-based activities.​​​​
The project supports attendees in enhancing their self-confidence and social mobility, encourages and engages participants in environmental activities, and promotes physical and mental well-being.
Attendees benefit from travelling to new places, interacting with new people, and working in a team to enhance community gardens.
Barkantine Clinic Roof top garden
The Barkantine Roof Garden Project was led by Erica Walcott, the Barkantine Clinic’s Operational Manager in 2024. She identified the potential of under-utilised roof spaces to be transformed into a growing area that residents, staff, and patients could enjoy and benefit from.
Seeds for Growth charity developed the two roof areas into growing spaces with raised beds.
Big Thank you to Anchor Logistics and Mount Anvil group
In April 2025, Anchor Logistics was introduced to the roof garden project through the Resident Engagement Officer at the Mount Anvil Group. They generously built and delivered raised beds for the project.
Promotion and planting-related activities were undertaken during monthly coffee mornings at the clinic.
The coffee mornings gave residents the chance to connect with community organisations and services, and offered a platform for organisations to meet and collaborate on projects addressing residents' needs.
Chelsea Flower Show Plant Donation from She Grows Veg
In May 2025, She Grows Veg, which sells heirloom vegetable seeds, donated the plants from its Chelsea Flower Show gold medal stand to the Barkantine Roof Garden project.
All the donated plants are English heritage. The gardeners will collect seeds from all the plants to regrow the stock next year.
Future plans for the project
Funding is sought to continue the project. The Clinic, with the support of Seeds for Growth charity, aims to establish a resident-led group, increase community participation, engage more community organisations, and foster connections with GPs and clinical staff. The planned relocation of some planters to the ground-floor parking area may improve residents' accessibility. Weekend nature-based art and craft sessions will be provided in 2026. The participants in the Seeds for Growth social prescribing service will visit the garden.
Seeds for Growth's social prescribing outreach initiative, has been delighted to partner with Activities Coordinator Christine Lewis and the incredible team at Advance UK to deliver engaging growing sessions for the adults they support.
So far, participants have brought life to the growing space outside the old surgery on the Quarterdeck—planting daffodils, onions, garlic, and broad beans. Some of these will soon find their way to the Barkantine Clinic’s well-being roof garden, contributing to a more vibrant, healing environment.
It’s been a joy to see the enthusiasm and connection this project is cultivating in the community
