Monica Price, CEO of Homeopathy UK, recently visited the Maintaining Health Partners (MHP) at Glengall Wharf Garden, a unique community hub nestled in the heart of Peckham. Maintaining Health Partners is a workers’ cooperative established in 2010 by holistic health practitioners who had been working together for more than 10 years. The group offers a wide range of therapies including Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Therapeutic Massage, Chi Kung and Homeopathy.
Their garden-based clinic has been part- funded by Homeopathy UK for the past five years and provides Homeopathy to local residents who would otherwise not be able to afford more costly, private, homeopathic treatment.
Ms Price was warmly welcomed by practitioners Rix Pyke and Dodo Kitching, who run the twice-monthly homeopathy clinics from a secluded yurt tent within the garden. MHP offers other therapies from the tranquil setting, complete with food growing, chickens, bees, and forested areas. During her visit, Monica took a tour of the entire site, met with the team and patients, and enjoyed tea and scones (with apricot jam made from the tree in the garden) while hearing firsthand the positive experiences of those who have benefitted from homeopathy.
“It was a pleasure to visit such an oasis of calm in the middle of a London suburb and see the work of the team,” Price said. “I met with some of the patients who shared their experiences using homeopathy — and how it had been life-changing in some cases. The work of Rix and Dodo and the sense of community spirit was a delight to see.”
MHP also work from other community-based sites, including the Copleston Centre in Peckham – and other organisations in the borough seeking their specialisms, such as Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers.
Practitioner Rix noted, “It was our pleasure to host Homeopathy UK and showcase our healing project in this unique setting. The charity’s funding has been essential to our work ensuring Homeopathy can be accessed by all, regardless of income. We have held over 66 clinics with the last grant from HUk. In addition to therapies, we also build community by sharing social and cultural events and eating together which builds community connections, healthy support networks and meaningful ways of staying well.”
The team at MHP has, over the years, established strong partnerships with local health services, including the Community Mental Health Teams, the Maudsley Hospital, and organisations such as Southside Partnership, Southwark Pensioners Centre and Thamesreach.
The yurt and surrounding garden offer more than therapy — people can join in gardening, help care for the chickens, take part in the “Hug a Hen” activity, or simply enjoy the peace of the forested paths. Since its founding, MHP has worked with numerous people and continues to build on the foundations laid by its original team.
MHP runs over 22 homeopathy clinics each year, providing approximately 200 appointments annually. These clinics are specifically designed to support those on low incomes or facing barriers to accessing holistic healthcare we do ask for a small donation from patients.
This initiative helps make homeopathic care more accessible and inclusive, supporting the well-being of our wider community.