Sydenham Garden, an East London-based charity, has received a £1,500 donation from local developer Barratt London to support its weekly gardening group, created for people in the local community suffering with mental health challenges.

The charity provides mental health and wellbeing support through a mix of activities in garden and nature reserves, such as planting crops, sowing seeds and pruning in a dedicated greenhouse, as well as creating craft items and cooking garden produce.

The weekly sessions aim to provide a safe and encouraging space for attendees to improve their confidence, build relationships and help encourage positive momentum for mental or physical recovery.

Sydenham Garden also supports those living with dementia, working in partnership with the Lewisham Dementia Support Hub.

Lowell Black, Director of Sydenham Garden, comments: “Our garden is a haven for those living with anxiety, depression and other struggles that affect their lives on a daily basis. We want to provide a supportive environment that encourages people to be independent, learn new skills and participate in something meaningful.

“Thanks to this donation from Barratt London, we can continue to deliver a wide range of weekly workshops and activities that we hope will make a difference to the lives of those who take part, benefitting their mental health, motivation and future success.”

Sydenham Garden is situated close to Barratt London’s newest collection of homes, Lightmakers. Located in Sydenham, the large-scale development will bring 262 new homes to the local area, including 71 affordable homes.

James Holmear, Sales and Marketing Director for Barratt East London, adds: “We’re incredibly proud to support the fantastic work Sydenham Garden does through its outreach and unique gardening projects. As we continue to build
new homes in Sydenham, we are committed to working with local groups that make the community flourish.”

Sydenham Garden also runs Growing Lives, a project that offers the opportunity to achieve Open College Network accreditation for skills learned, with sessions involving growing food, maintaining green spaces and conservation activities.

The donation comes from Barratt London’s Community Fund, a scheme that gives a donation each month to local charities and organisation, with the goal of helping the communities at the heart of its developments continue to develop and thrive.

Lightmakers is the first development of its kind from Barratt London in Sydenham. Launching this autumn, its first phase, Newton Court, will comprise one-, two- & three-bedroom homes.

To find out more, visit https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/london/.
To find out more about Sydenham Garden and the support it offers, visit: https://www.sydenhamgarden.org.uk/