With all our young people temporarily restricted to the unit staff felt it was even more important to ensure they have opportunities to engage with nature whilst remaining on-site. All it took was an email and Paul from Sunshine Garden Centre called us right back to say that (despite being closed for business) they would be happy to donate some garden goodies to us for the benefit and enjoyment of the young people! In fact they had already begun making donations to other local schools and children of key workers. Within a day Sunshine's friendly staff were outside reception with a load of thoughtfully selected gifts for the young people of Simmons House to enjoy nurturing over the next few weeks (or months, or years all going well!)
Thank you, Sunshine Garden Centre!
For more information on how gardening positively impacts mood, see the links below.
https://www.sunshinegardencentre.co.uk/
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/health-and-wellbeing
https://www.capitalgardens.co.uk/blog/gardening-great-mental-health-wellbeing/
https://www.psychologies.co.uk/news/garden-your-way-to-wellbeing.html