De Frene Market Garden

General information

The garden is for the whole community, but is particularly used by people referred to us by local health professionals, who are experiencing significant mental and physical ill-health. Our activities focus on horticulture, conservation, creative work, art & craft and training.
We run a variety of therapeutic gardening sessions through the week for referred clients or 'co-workers'. Each co-worker sets their aims and objectives with our experienced staff and volunteer team, and takes on tasks each week that help them to engage with the people and the land.
Work includes sowing, preparation, digging, ground clearance, and harvesting. Some of our produce is cooked and shared by our co-workers, and some of it is processed or preserved and sold to local people at our events.
Although the community garden is very much the focal point of our activities and services today, our first project activities actually started with Arts & Craft sessions at Sydenham Green Health Centre