The Safe Green Space: the Landscape of Social & Therapeutic Horticulture, a one-day symposium
Thursday 19 March 2026, 10am-4.30pm
The Apple House, Sergehill Lane, Bedmond, WD5 0RZ
‘Therapeutic horticulture is usually based on principles of organic cultivation. The focus is on environmental sustainability as well as the psychological sustainability that comes from providing people with what they need in order to grow.’
- Dr Sue Stuart-Smith, The Well Gardened Mind
The Safe Green Space: the Landscape of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture is a one-day symposium which explores the current and future landscapes of social therapeutic horticulture and social prescribing hosted by the Serge Hill Project in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Horticulture’s STH Group.
The day brings together leading names in the industry to examine the current landscape of social and therapeutic horticulture and map its future; from accreditation to funding, from freelance practitioners to community projects, from pay to best practice. The following speakers will contribute to a packed day of panel discussions, case studies and presentations:
Anna Baker Creswell (Trustee, Gardening4Health)
Helen Bridle (Partnerships Manager, Defence Gardens Scheme)
Dr Richard Claxton (CEO, National Garden Scheme)
Sarah Galvin (Head of National Community Programmes, RHS)
Linda Petrons (Director of Fundraising and Communications, Greenfingers)
Keely Siddiqui Charlick (CEO Sunnyside Rural Trust)
Dr Honey Smith (Director Greener Practice)
Dr Sue Stuart-Smith (Founder, The Serge Hill Project)
Ben Thomas (CEO Thrive)
Madeleine Thomas (STH practitioner)
Lucy Thorpe (Regional Coordinator for London, Defence Gardens Scheme)
This event is a must for social therapeutic horticulture practitioners, occupational therapists, social prescribers, gardeners, GPs, community projects, charities, not-for-profits and anyone with an interest in the power and potential of social therapeutic horticulture.
Tickets include refreshments, a home cooked lunch, an experiential workshop and access to The Plant Library of over 2000 perennials and bulbs.
The day will be hosted in the Apple House, a stunning timber building in the heart of an orchard and plant library and home to The Serge Hill Project, a new community interest company founded by Tom and Sue Stuart-Smith, based on the understanding that working with nature can radically transform people’s health and wellbeing. All profits from the day will go to fund the work of the Serge Hill Project.
