Fresh in MIND - Ecotherapy 

The Mind in Bexley Ecominds project aims to improve mental health and well-being by offering individuals the chance to get involved in a range of conservation, food growing and gardening tasks in the Mind in Bexley garden. Through being outdoors the Fresh in Mind Ecominds Project works to support people to truly reconnect with themselves, with others and with the natural world. It has so far been very successful in helping people make new friends with support from people who have had similar experiences while also helping these people gain confidence and learn new skills in gardening.

Over the last 12 months, service user and staff have transformed a derelict piece of land attached to the Mind premises into a sensory garden that can now be used as a therapeutic community resource. It is available to be enjoyed throughout the four seasons of the year, improving the local environment and users connection with the natural world. Service users have been involved at all stages to make better use of our eco-space and will continue to maintain the garden. The Fresh in Mind project is open to anyone with direct experience of mental distress; you do not need to have a formal diagnosis.