Our Approach

AAGarden’s approach is informed by Social & Therapeutic Horticulture, Creative Health and participatory practice.

​

We are interested not only in what people do during a programme, but in the conditions that make it easier to take part in the first place.

That means thinking about the activity, the group, the place, communication and what happens over time.

People do not need to perform, speak a lot or participate in exactly the same way.

​

Where possible, we work in small groups and allow space to observe before joining in.

​

Someone may take the lead, while someone else may prefer to work quietly or begin by watching.

We are interested in what repeated participation can make possible.

​

Returning to the same garden or green space can help people recognise plants, understand seasonal change, become more confident with activities and feel more familiar with a place.

​

A single session can be valuable. Continuity can change the relationship.

Practical activity gives people a shared focus.

​

Planting, tending, observing or walking can offer a natural way to enter a group without requiring conversation to come first.

​

People can learn by watching, trying, asking and working alongside others.

Language matters, but fluent spoken English should not be the only way into an activity.

​

We use demonstration, visual information, practical tasks, objects and non-verbal communication alongside spoken language.

​

This allows people to participate through doing as well as talking.

We build simple reflection and feedback into our programmes.

​

Depending on the project, this may include participant comments, short rating questions, observation, creative reflection or structured pre- and post-programme measures.

​

For commissioned projects, evaluation can also be designed around agreed outcomes and reporting requirements.

​

The purpose is to understand what is happening and use that learning to improve what comes next.