Imagine boosting your wellbeing simply by getting outside, rolling up your sleeves, and helping to care for the natural world around you. That’s exactly what Green Gym and Social and Therapeutic Horticulture offer—nature-based activities that blend conservation or gardening with physical activity, social connection, and therapeutic support.
In the UK, many of these programmes are run through community groups within the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector, making them accessible and welcoming to all.
In this talk, we’ll share exciting findings from our evaluation of The Conservation Volunteers’ GreenGym™. Our research shows that being active outdoors, improving local green spaces, and connecting with others can lead to significant, lasting boosts in wellbeing—especially for those who need it most. It’s a powerful reminder that nature itself can be one of the best tools for supporting mental health.
We’ll also dive into the results of a systematic review on Social and Therapeutic Horticulture, where trained practitioners use gardening as a structured therapy. The evidence is clear: STH can meaningfully reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, with particularly strong benefits for depression.
Finally, we’ll explore the next steps needed to transform these promising nature-based activities from inspiring ideas into widely available, evidence-backed treatments that can benefit communities everywhere.
