The Combat Stress Therapeutic Garden
Therapeutic Garden for the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, 2010.
Since August 2008 Independent Gardening has been working alongside the charity Combat Stress to create a garden specifically for those affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Combat Stress. The original idea was to create a show garden that would publicise Combat Stress' work with PTSD sufferers and which would then be transferred to Combat Stress' headquarters for use by the veterans. Events somewhat overtook the original idea as the creation of a new accommodation block at Tyrwhitt House (Combat Stress' headquarters) required new landscaping. Dorinda approached Fi Boyle (click here to connect with Fi's blog) to create a design for this particular area. However, deferred building works meant that the whole design could not be finalised, but it was possible to use elements within the garden to create a show garden for the 2010 Hampton Court Flower Show.
The plants have now been transferred to holding beds at Combat Stress' headquarters at Tyrwhitt House and we are hoping will be installed in the final design by March 2010.
This project has been and is very high profile and immensely worthwhile, not only raising awareness among the general public of the vital role gardens play in rehabilitation support, but also providing a sustainable long-term therapeutic garden for some of the service men and women severely affected by PTSD and combat stress acquired when in active service.
Press
Telegraph
Surrey Today