What's the background to GHTV ?
Our organisation was set up by a small group of people in Reading, including a Whitley-based GP who recognised that prescribing medication alone was not the solution for many people with mental health difficulties. He was frustrated at the lack of services for his patients and the project evolved from the understanding that recovery from mental illness is a complex process requiring local, community-based support and qualified, committed people to accompany those affected on the journey and to reduce social isolation.
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"Gardening can do what medicine only
'tries to mimic' for mental health"
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Monty Don, 2019
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We have a small staff team comprised of our Horticulture Therapist Sara Kopp, a team of volunteers and an administrator.
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Our clients are members of the community who experience mental health challenges, or who are recovering from/at risk of complex mental health difficulties, social isolation and socio-economic exclusion. We have a focus on intensive support for a small number of clients which sets us aside from other gardening-based projects.
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GHTV is a not for profit charity and is funded entirely from organisations who support our work.
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We are very grateful for the support of our past and present funders and partners which include:
The Education & Skills Funding Agency, European Social Fund, The Earley Charity, The People’s Postcode Trust, The National Lottery Community Fund, The Shanly Foundation and others.
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Our charitable objects are:
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to relieve sickness and protect mental health through the provision of therapeutic horticulture to those with, or vulnerable to, mental health problems;
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to protect physical health through encouraging horticulture-related physical activity and by promoting healthy eating to individuals and organisations.
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