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Grant helps inclusive garden project blossom
£15,000 grant helps inclusive garden project blossom, commends Surrey Heartlands’ Joint Chief Medical Officer
Flourish Community Garden, in Frimley Green, is thriving thanks to a £15,000 grant from the Surrey Mental Health Investment Fund (MHIF), a fund dedicated to supporting adults and young people with mental health challenges.
The grant has enabled Catalyst Support, the organisation behind the garden, to continue offering vital nature-based therapy and personalised wellbeing support.
Catalyst Support has used the funding to hire a project coordinator, purchase materials, and run a variety of wellbeing sessions.
These efforts have transformed the garden into a sanctuary where participants can connect with nature, engage in creative activities, and benefit from holistic support.
Dr Charlotte Canniff, Joint Chief Medical Officer for Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership recently visited the garden and praised the impact of the funding:
It’s inspiring to see how these resources are being used to foster community and mental health.
Flourish Community Garden is a place where inclusivity thrives and everyone can find a sense of belonging and purpose.
The MHIF, a joint initiative by Surrey County Council and Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board with a £10.5 million budget, supports innovative community projects aimed at preventing mental ill health and enhancing emotional wellbeing across Surrey.
Mark Nuti, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and Public Health for Surrey County Council said:
We know that being in nature can improve our health and wellbeing – both physical and mental.
I’m delighted this garden is helping people in Surrey to get outside into green spaces and engage with nature, combining both physical activity and social contact and having a positive impact on their mental wellbeing.
Joanna Westover, Catalyst Support Garden and Volunteer Wellbeing Coordinator emphasised the importance of the grant, stating:
The funding has been crucial in enabling us to provide one-on-one sessions, tailored wellbeing plans, and creative goals that meet the unique needs of each participant.
Our Community Connections gardening group offers year-round activities, from growing vegetables to developing wildlife areas, ensuring that everyone can participate in meaningful, hands-on projects.
Flourish Community Garden also provides volunteering opportunities for locals, allowing them to contribute to the garden’s upkeep and assist in workshops.
Participants enjoy the benefits of fresh air, physical activity, social connections, and the satisfaction of seeing their efforts bear fruit – literally, as the garden’s fresh produce is shared within the Catalyst Support community and with local groups.
For more information about the Mental Health Investment Fund and its projects, visit the Healthy Surrey website: