Wellbeing in nature
Eikon Garden Projects
Spaces for people to grow
The mental wellbeing benefits of having green space to enjoy in our communities has been highlighted perhaps more in the past few years than ever before. Children and young people have experienced exploring nature in its truest forms, with many becoming green fingered for the first time due to the Covid-19 lockdown. There are many ways nature can enhance both our physical and mental health even when access to outdoor space may be limited. Take a look at our Wellbeing Posters for some inspiration.
Eikon provides different garden projects; each is a communal green space developed by young people for other young people to enjoy.
Eikon Youth Workers and volunteer gardeners support young people through regular Garden Clubs. These clubs give them a safe and enjoyable space to socialise and belong, relax and have fun, work as teams and take individual responsibility. Along the way they have the opportunity to practice the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, learn some gardening and life skills and appreciate their natural world.
More than simply gardening – it’s a place to grow and thrive as a person. We’re delighted that all our gardens have won various different awards too!
Hopes & Dreams Garden
Fullbrook School, New Haw
Young people realised their ‘dream project’ to transform a completely overgrown part of their school grounds into a beautiful multi-functional garden. They championed, fundraised, designed, created and everything in between. Eikon supported them to realise this amazing project, and they continue to provide garden clubs for more young people to enjoy this special space.
The OWL area of the garden won an award in the RHS Green Plan It Challenge in 2018.
Kings College
Guildford
Many different areas of the school grounds have been improved by a ‘garden club make over’.
Read about the Kings Garden Clubs on the RHS schools community site.
Supporting us
We need and appreciate local help and support
We are hoping to recruit more garden volunteers so we can support even more young gardeners. If you would like to support our garden projects or find out more please contact us at schools@eikon.org.uk
Eikon would like to thank all the many local businesses, the RHS Outreach team, local community working parties and gardeners who support these projects with manpower, plants and funds. Without them we would not have these wonderful projects and spaces.
