HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?
GROUNDING - a new book on gardening for recovery for those affected by trauma

“Seeing the corn grow, I see even though we can get demolished in life, we grow again,” explains A, a 52 year old Tamil man from Sri Lanka. He is one of a group of patients from the South London and Maudsley (SLaM) - refugees and asylum seekers who have experienced trauma in places of war and unrest and belong to Grounding, a remarkable therapeutic gardening project, where, in one gardener’s words, “I can rest my mind.”
Now the project facilitators, clinical psychologist Dr Gemma Eke and horticultural therapist, Myriam Sarens, have created Grounding, a beautifully illustrated and practical book named after the project and written for people affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD) and clinicians working in the field.

It shows how the Grounding project helps wellbeing, connection, learning, growing and self-care and describes how horticulture can reduce stress and isolation. People who have benefited tell their stories and share their favourite recipes and there are resources and suggestions on how to deal with symptoms of trauma, explained in an accessible and readily understandable way.

"The garden is a peaceful and relaxing place where healing can happen, it is also far less stigmatising than an institutional environment, such as a hospital,” says Dr Gemma Eke. She explains, “We try to offer the most up-to-date therapy for trauma symptoms, but delivered in a natural setting where group members can join a community and benefit from mutual support. Our project has helped many service users, so we thought we would share its main ingredients in this book, in order to help other people suffering, and perhaps inspire more projects like ours."

The Grounding project was designed initially to help Bosnian women traumatised by war and was located at Vauxhall City Farm for approximately 10 years. Since January 2017, it has been based at Roots and Shoots, the education and environment charity in Lambeth. It is diverse and inclusive, bringing together people from all over the world who have experienced torture, violence, imprisonment or trafficking. All have PTSD, which can bring other challenges such as relational difficulties, social isolation, depression and anxiety. For some, mental distress isn’t accepted or acknowledged in their culture and receiving support in a community setting means this can be given without stigma.

“Here reminds me of my garden in Bosnia,” says B, a 50 year old woman. “It makes me feel I am home. I can rest my mind.” Gardening is the common language and results are extraordinary as C, a 40 year old man from Ethiopia, explains with perfect simplicity, “We are different cultures, different nationalities, different religions and we are one, sharing.”

Most importantly however, Grounding is a story of hope. Its stories are of recovery, with gardeners sharing their tips for what has helped their steps to recovery. It is full of ways to make everyone feel better, kindness and a gentle route to follow.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS: Grounding, which is funded by the Maudsley Charity has been running for approximately 10 years. It takes place at Roots and Shoots over two days a week and includes gardening, evidenced based trauma therapy and a community group where members can share a meal often made from salad or vegetables from the garden.

Dr Gemma Eke is a clinical psychologist. She works as a trauma specialist in South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and also in Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Myriam Sarens is a horticultural therapist and psychotherapist, she also works at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust offering trauma therapy, horticultural therapy and is responsible for day to day running of the Grounding project.

Grounding will be available on the day of the launch for a suggested donation of £7. Proceeds will be used to support the project. Free copies will be offered to other NHS services as a resource for PTSD clients.

For further media information, interviews, images, advance copies and a press invitation to the launch of Grounding at Roots and Shoots on Tuesday 6 June from noon to 2pm, please contact Lindsay Swan, PR volunteer on 07961 181982; [email protected]