Thrive

30/05/2026

🌿 The Power of Plants

Award-winning author Lucy Summers’ latest book, The Power of Plants, explores how the way plants survive and adapt can mirror our own resilience. Inspired by personal experience, it highlights the quiet strength of nature and the hope it can offer.

Through her research, Lucy also shares a fascinating insight. Plants can “remember”, showing just how complex and powerful they are.

We were delighted to contribute to the book alongside our client gardeners, helping to show how gardening and time in nature can support both physical and mental wellbeing.

Find out more about the book: https://www.lucysummers.co.uk/the-power-of-plants-how-nature-shapes-our-world/?utm_source=General+supporters+%28monthly+enews%2C+email+opt+ins%2C+volunteer%2C+committed+donors%2C+Friends%2C+staff%29&utm_campaign=70f13b9fd6-enews_20_04_2026_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9ba66464eb-70f13b9fd6-166975638

29/05/2026

🌱 National Children’s Gardening Week

Gardening can play an important role in a child’s growth and wellbeing, both now and in the future.
Time spent in the garden helps children feel connected to the world around them, offering a sense of belonging and stability that supports their development.

From sowing seeds to watching plants grow, gardening opens up opportunities to learn, explore and understand how nature works. It also encourages outdoor activity and supports healthy habits.

Gardening can bring people together too, creating time for meaningful connection and shared experiences.
Discover why gardening matters for children:

28/05/2026

🌱 Corporate volunteering with Thrive

Looking for a meaningful way to bring your team together?

A corporate volunteering day at Thrive offers the chance to step outside, connect with colleagues and make a positive difference to the lives of people living with disability or ill health.

Spend time in our gardens supporting practical, seasonal activities at a pace that suits your team. No experience is needed and everyone can take part.

It is a shared experience that supports wellbeing, builds relationships and helps create spaces where people and nature can thrive.

Register your interest:
👉 https://bit.ly/2LIaftg

26/05/2026

🌿 National Garden Wildlife Week

Your garden, balcony or outdoor space can play an important role in supporting wildlife. Together, our gardens form a vital network of habitats for nature.

Creating a wildlife friendly space does not have to be complicated. Start by noticing what is already there, from plants to visiting insects and birds. Small features like shady corners, fallen leaves or logs can provide valuable shelter.

Choose plants that support wildlife, create layers of habitat from ground level to taller planting, and take things one step at a time. Over time, your space will become richer, more diverse and full of life.

Gardening with nature in mind can also support your own wellbeing, bringing moments of calm, connection and discovery.

Find out more:
👉 https://bit.ly/3UvbexH

26/05/2026

25/05/2026

🌱 Volunteer with Thrive

Our volunteers join us for many different reasons. Some want to build skills or gain experience. Others are looking to give something back, connect with others or take a step towards employment.

If you are curious about volunteering with us, why not come along to a taster session and see what it is all about?

📅 Wednesday 3rd June
⏰ 10.30am – 12.30pm

Volunteer sessions are a great way to learn more about Thrive, meet the team and experience gardening for health in action.

To register your interest or find out more, visit: https://bit.ly/40titHy

23/05/2026

🐝 World Bee Day

The gentle buzz of bees is more than a sign of summer. It is vital to life in our gardens and beyond. Bees pollinate plants that help keep our green spaces thriving and support much of the food we eat.

By choosing the right plants, you can create a space that supports bees while bringing colour, texture and calm to your garden. From long flowering perennials like echinacea to favourites like verbena and erysimum, small changes can make a big difference.

Gardening for wildlife is also good for us. Nurturing plants and watching bees visit through the seasons can boost wellbeing and help us feel more connected to nature.

Ready to get started? Explore our bee-friendly planting ideas:

👉 https://bit.ly/4wOWEUj

22/05/2026

We were honoured to be featured in the Financial Times’ Late Bloomers article, exploring how gardening is helping people living with dementia and the important therapeutic role of sanctuary spaces in mental health.

FT Deputy Night News Editor Murray Withers visited Thrive, London’s Sanctuary Garden to see first-hand how gardening can make a difference, speaking with Thrive CEO Ben Thomas and Client gardener and Thrive Ambassador Arun Veerappan, along with Carly Wood, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Essex, who shared the evidenced benefits of gardening.

The article, published online and in the FT Weekend House & Home Wellbeing supplement, gave us the opportunity to spotlight Social and Therapeutic Horticulture, our Garden Thyme programme for people living with dementia and memory loss, and the ongoing need for funding and social prescribing referrals.

To read the article, visit: https://bit.ly/4f0xUly

21/05/2026

Reminder: Open Day Tomorrow! 🌿

Join us tomorrow for our Garden Thyme Open Day as part of Dementia Week 2026 💚

📅 Friday 22nd May 2026
⏰ 10.30am – 3pm
📍 Thrive Main Garden, Battersea Park (SW11 4NJ)

Come and discover Garden Thyme, our free gardening-for-wellbeing programme for people living with dementia and memory loss 🌼

What to expect:

Guided tours of our beautiful Sanctuary Garden
Gentle gardening & hands-on taster activities
Relaxing nature-based experiences
Refreshments in a peaceful setting

Whether you're living with dementia, supporting someone, or working in the sector, we’d love to welcome you.

📞 020 7720 2212
📧 [email protected]

Come along, ask questions, and see how nature can support wellbeing 🌱

20/05/2026

We have already raised £58,000 for our Grow It Forward Birmingham appeal, and we are just getting started!

We are inviting organisations who care about wellbeing, sustainability and social impact to join us.
Want a simple way to get involved?

Try our Walk and Talk for Thrive initiative 🚶‍♀️

Just extend your team’s lunch break by 30 minutes, get outside for a mindful walk, connect with colleagues, and raise funds at the same time.

It is good for your people and your community.

Find out more about how you can get involved at: https://bit.ly/4bOpuKL