From Horticulture to Health: My Empowering Journey with NHS South East London Integrated Care Board Co-production Group

In everyone’s life journey, there are moments of unexpected turns that lead you to places you never imagined. I never thought I would venture so far into the world of Social Therapeutic Horticulture, let alone join the e NHS South East London Creative Health Co-Production Group in such a powerful and meaningful project. Yet, when I stand on this lush green land and witness how nature can heal both mind and body, I know this is the path I’m meant to be on.

Opportunity to join NHS South East London’s Creative Health Co-production Working Group

How I Ended Up on This Creative Health Journey

As I’ve been actively searching for ways to make a difference in the world of health and wellbeing, I discovered a unique opportunity that resonated with my passion—an initiative in South East London focused on the creative health approach. This initiative draws on community resources to offer people a chance to engage in creative and therapeutic activities, such as community gardening, arts and crafts, singing groups, and more. It’s about improving health through less traditional methods, with a particular emphasis on the creative aspects of life.

I decided to submit my proposal as part of this opportunity. As a non-native English speaker, I’ve experienced firsthand how language barriers can impact wellbeing. That’s why my focus is on the potential of social and therapeutic horticulture for people facing language challenges, particularly non-native English speakers. The healing power of nature combined with creativity provides a safe space for people to overcome not just physical challenges, but the emotional barriers that come with language struggles.

In submitting my proposal, I highlighted the importance of these creative approaches to health and wellbeing—ones that don’t require fluency in English to participate. It’s not just about gardening; it’s about fostering connections, building confidence, and most importantly, enabling people to engage in an activity that nurtures their sense of belonging and well-being.

We discuss it at the Art Academy in London

Building Stronger Communities Together—Let’s Go Further!

It’s an exciting opportunity to bring my expertise and passion for horticultural therapy to the table, and I can’t wait to see how we can empower those facing language barriers to engage in these programmes and thrive.

Each collaboration with the group members and every discussion about the link between horticulture and health has further strengthened my sense of purpose. Our collaboration goes beyond problem-solving; it’s about sharing mutual support and empowerment through our common goals and passions.

This is my voice, how about yours?

One warm moment that I will never forget occurred during one of the health initiatives in the group. I randomly drew a card that said “a voice.” For me, it wasn’t just a simple reminder but a profound moment of self-realization. As someone who often speaks softly, this card made me realize that my voice matters, and my ideas deserve to be heard. In that moment, I understood that even the smallest voice can resonate when given the right moment.

Through my involvement with this initiative, I’ve come to understand that creative health isn’t just about bringing people together through activity—it’s about truly understanding what people need and making sure that everyone, regardless of their background, has the tools they need to live well. For non-native English speakers, that might mean creating a space where communication isn’t limited by language but expanded through shared experience and creativity.

I’m proud to be a part of this movement, one that’s reshaping the way we think about health and wellbeing. As we move forward, I look forward to engaging with more organizations and individuals who believe in the power of creativity and nature to change lives. This is a journey I’m excited to take, and I hope to inspire others to join me.

If you’re someone facing language challenges or if you simply feel the need for a community-based approach to health and wellbeing, I invite you to join me in this creative journey via aagardenuk@outlook.com. Let’s explore together how we can use the healing power of nature and creativity to build stronger, more inclusive communities in South East London.