Gardening for Health and Wellbeing
Bloomin' Lovely is a horticultural therapy service based in Shropshire, England. We design and deliver bespoke therapeutic programmes in gardening, basketry and nature-based activities for people of all abilities. Our programmes are built with passion, experience and knowledge so that our clients are able to achieve their specific goals alongside increased physical and mental wellbeing.
Time in nature is never wasted!
Our Shropshire-based Horticultural Therapist
Meet Alexis
Alexis Stones is the founder of Bloomin' Lovely. She is a registered occupational therapist, horticultural therapy practitioner and a RHS qualified gardener.
Alexis has over 10 years of experience in using gardening, willow weaving and basketry, along side nature-based activities as a therapeutic tool for a variety of people with health and social care needs. Her wealth of horticultural experience also comes from running her own smallholding in Shropshire alongside helping to develop a number of local community growing spaces. Alexis is passionate about sharing her love for nature and gardening with others and believes in making gardening accessible to all.
As an occupational therapist, Alexis has worked within several areas of healthcare, including pain management, spinal injuries and social care. She uses her professional knowledge and experience to cater horticultural activities to her clients needs. This means that they reap the rewards of the wide range of health benefits that these activities have to offer. Her training in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture, health coaching and motivational interviewing allows her to get the best from each of her clients, ensuring that their voice and aspirations are heard.
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Services
Bespoke
Programmes
Promoting health and wellbeing
We offer bespoke therapeutic gardening and nature-based craft programmes that can be adapted for people with specific health and wellbeing needs. Our sessions can be delivered one-to-one or in a group environment, in private gardens, schools or community spaces.
Individual
Workshops
Tailored to your needs
One-off workshops for groups who are interested in a specific horticultural activity or skill. These could include general gardening, basketry, willow weaving, nature crafts and more.
Commissions
Delve a little deeper
We deliver a range of talks and presentations for people who are interested in the therapeutic benefits of gardening and nature, the use of horticultural therapy in health care, or specific horticultural or therapeutic skills.
Testimonials
Here are some examples of horticultural therapy workshops that have been previously delivered by Bloomin' Lovely
Why Choose Horticultural Therapy?
Gardening is good for you! Anyone who has their own garden or allotment could tell you that, but now there is scientific evidence to prove it. Research shows that gardening is one of the best ‘green care’ therapies for supporting and improving mental health and wellbeing. It can benefit everyone despite their age and health needs. Gardening is a very adaptable and familiar activity for people from any background and it offers a wide range of health benefits, illustrated below:
Cognitive
Improves sleep and mood
Restores attention and a sense of curiosity
Develops horticultural, social and work skills which can lead to employment or further education
Revisits previous experiences and knowledge
Improves vocabulary and communication
Offers intellectual stimulation
Social
Encourages community cohesion
Reduces feelings of isolation or exclusion
Offers an opportunity for social and environmental connection
Promotes a sense of inclusion and belonging alongside developing independence
Promotes positive interactions with other people
Physical
Encourages physical exercise
Strengthens muscles to improve mobility
Boosts the absorption and retention of Vitamin D
Engages both fine and gross motor movement
Builds confidence and independence in movement
Creative
Fosters imagination and creativity
Prevents boredom
Stimulation of the senses
Provides opportunities for personal development
Re-engages old hobbies and passions
Spiritual
Fosters gratitude and positive thoughts
Connects to past experiences and memories
Generates meaning through engagement in purposeful activities
Encourages hope through activities such as seed sowing
Develops an appreciation of the cyclical nature of life
Generates ‘awe’ through connection with the natural environment
Mental
Increases positive mood
Improves self-esteem and reduces depression
Reduces pre-existing stress levels and enables better handling of stress
Increases confidence and self-worth through choice and responsibility
Aids in the development of positive coping strategies
Provides an opportunity for pleasure and relaxation
Offer a sense of pride and success with projects
Instills a sense of purpose and achievement
