Charity of the Year

Our Charity of the Year, for Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh’s 2024 presidency, is Veterans’ Growth.

In response to the escalating mental health challenges faced by military personnel, East Sussex charity Veterans’ Growth provides crucial support and resources to veterans through horticultural therapy.

Courses include one-to-one sessions and group work which combine physical horticultural activities alongside theory-based learning, visits to sites of interest, talks and presentations on horticulture or well -being therapy sessions and social activities. The charity aims to reduce participants’ levels of stress, anxiety, depression and isolation and seeks to establish long-term social connections within the group and the individuals attending. It also introduces horticulture as a new skill to participants and encourages them to continue developing their gardening into a hobby or career once the course ends.

Commenting on the benefits of horticultural therapy, Sarah Wilson, CEO of Veterans’ Growth, said:

“Horticultural therapy has proven benefits for those dealing with mental health conditions, and we aim to provide a complimentary therapy which can support other forms of treatment. Veterans benefit from being outdoors in a green environment, being physically active, interacting with the local community and each other, learning about nutrition through growing food, and learning new skills with the possibility of using these to gain employment. Simply being on site, surrounded by nature and green space, is a tonic for many of our visitors.”

Veterans’ Growth offers various services, including support groups and educational resources tailored to the specific needs of military personnel. The charity also conducts outreach programmes to raise awareness about mental health conditions and reduce the stigma surrounding seeking help.

For more information on our 2024 Charity of the Year click here.

Veterans Growth will be attending the South of England Show in our horticulture marquee and will attend further events throughout the year.