Independent charity Root and Branch are located on an organic farm in the beautiful Vale of the White Horse at Westmill Farm, Watchfield just off the A420 between Faringdon and Swindon. Partly funded by the Oxford Mental Health Partnership, they are one of eight recovery groups across Oxfordshire operating under the umbrella organisation Restore.
The team at Root and Branch facilitate opportunities for people with mental health difficulties such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder to be part of a successful mental-health recovery programme by providing the opportunity for them to integrate with other people, be close to nature using gardening and other nature-related activities which all help improve mental and physical health.
Funding from the National Lottery, awarded to Root and Branch over a four-year period, has helped fund the employment of Katie Andrews, a Therapeutic Gardener who, in addition to holding a Master Gardener Qualification, also trained in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture. Katie works alongside the charity’s Mental Health Keyworkers, creating a set of activities for each participant to improve their mental health needs and work towards goals to support recovery.
Katie tells us more: “At Root and Branch we work with people facing mental health challenges; supporting them on their individual recovery journeys by involving them in growing fruits and vegetable to be cooked for lunch, or flowers and plants to be planted in the garden or sold at our fayres to help raise funds. It’s a safe and friendly space where people gain new skills, meet new friends, and rebuild their health and confidence. We also have other ways to get fit and healthy through nature walks, a new mini-gym and gentle exercise classes. We offer several creative activities too including woodwork, weaving, painting and blacksmithing, led by our skilled volunteers and experts.
This winter, we have been working together planning, designing, and creating a wildlife pond with seating, which will enable participants to be able to enjoy the wildlife such as dragonflies, birds and frogs that love water. The area will also provide a place for people to sit and talk, as supporting others is such a key part of our work. We have all learnt so much about landscape design, pond-building, wildlife, and pond plants in the process along with visiting some beautiful ponds and gardens as part of our research.”
Root and Branch opens its doors three days a week and extends a warm invitation to volunteers who possess a skill to share or simply have some time to spare. It is not just for those with an interest in gardening but also for those who love to cook, supporting their garden-to-plate mantra. Alternatively, if you enjoy walking and engaging in physical activities, you could help towards Root and Branch's pursuit of their John O’Groats goal.
To find out more about volunteering, email office@rootandbranch.org.uk, call 01793 782999 or visit rootandbranch.info
