Trust Links are a mental health and wellbeing charity that operate across South-East Essex to help support those experiencing mental health difficulties, families, and other members of the community.
Thanks to Sport England funding, the Active Essex Local Delivery Pilot can support the growth of the Trust Links ‘Growing Together’ programme. This is a scale and replicated community engagement project that works with residents to transform green spaces in Basildon through therapeutic gardening sessions. The programme will run for three years and was started in May, continuing until April 2026.
More than 100 people attended the opening of the new therapeutic garden on Vange Hill Drive, Basildon on Wednesday 24th May. In attendance were residents of the community, statutory partners, and other supporters of the charity.
The garden has been in the works for around 7 years with the space boasting two log cabins, a potting shed, green roof gazebo and a seating area. It also features a pond, numerous vegetable beds and a herb garden. As part of the launch three silver birch trees were planted by Basildon’s Deputy Mayor Cllr Yetunde Adeshile, Simon Williams on behalf of the NHS and Jackie Bilss – Chair of trustees for Trust Links.
Running each Wednesday from 9am to 4pm, and already having over 60 adult and children’s participants regularly attending, the garden offers members the opportunity to take part in garden maintenance and development, building work, cooking and other creative activities. Trust Links are continually looking for support in the form of volunteers to help with the delivery and help water the garden during the week and throughout the warm summer months.
The aim is to support members mental health and give them access to outdoor opportunities and space where they can retreat, relax, and rewind on what might have been a stressful start to the week. Therapeutic gardening provides many benefits to one’s mental being but also provides a positive impact to your physical health thanks to the different movements required to some of activities that are held.
A current Growing Together member compares the programme to being “like a family” saying that their keyworker and staff are always “positive and helpful” even when they’re struggling.
Head of Culture and Health at Basildon Borough Council – Grant Taylor, who helped lead on the application for Growing Together receiving funding explained;
“Trust Links are making a real difference in Basildon through their Growing Together site in Vange as well as their Green Basildon programme in targeted estates in our borough.
Using horticulture as a physical activity driver is important in helping the system reach people who are not traditionally active through sport. It is also equally important for helping manage poor mental health.
At Basildon Council, we are committed to continuing to work closely with Trust Links to enhance and expand their offer in Basildon and help ensure that system partners are doing likewise.”
