MindFood is a small charity focused on supporting people to tackle stress, depression and anxiety by reconnecting them with nature. They offer courses six days a week across two vibrant Ealing garden spaces, teaching food growing and other activities in a nature-based setting including art and garden building for wellbeing.

In 2023, our funding enabled a three-month extension to the charity’s Saturday Sustainable Wellbeing sessions. Here course attendees work towards personal wellbeing goals while participating in ‘a bold site makeover (garden DIY, sustainability improvements, gardening and landscaping)’ at Horsenden Community Farm. In all, 12 sessions were delivered supporting 25 people to learn the basics of sustainable food-growing, while clocking up 230 self-care hours.

Data showed that 70% of participants will:

– feel calmer and better able to manage their wellbeing
– feel more connected to nature and the environment
– will feel less isolated and more connected to their community

Funding also helped to bolster session resources with the purchase of garden tools for volunteers and a selection of winter growing vegetable seeds, sets and bulbs.