Anonymous

Creativity, Connection, and Community Gardening in Dundee

In the 2021 census, Dundee recorded the second highest rate of adults reporting a mental health condition.  As a creative and access consultant, I have been privileged to speak in prominent creative and strategic  circles, gaining access to valuable insights that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.

Dundee boasts a number of well-established support networks that exemplify best practices in disability  and mental health care. One area in which the city particularly excels is community gardening - a resource  that has proven effective in enhancing mental health and wellbeing.

A prime example is the Duntrune Community Garden, a community-growing initiative and therapeutic  horticultural service based in Dawson Park. This project uses gardening and thoughtful garden design to  promote mental health, support management, and aid recovery.

Closely linked to this initiative is Chrysalis, a long-standing SAMH program offering a two-year structured  program of work experience and practical skills designed to improve mental health. In 2021, an extension  called Growing Chrysalis was launched, which brings people together and empowers them to support their  mental health through gardening and outdoor activities.

Team lead Su Black explains that after Chrysalis had been running for several years, it became clear that its  central location in the park naturally attracted a broader segment of the community. Originally focused on  individuals diagnosed with a mental health condition between the ages of 16 and 65, the program soon  recognised a wider need. Following a series of community events—such as plant sales and open days—the  garden has grown in popularity. 

Today, it is not only used by the core group of service users but also  welcomed by local primary schools and various charities, ensuring that the community remains at the heart  of every decision made at Growing Chrysalis.

One participant explained that, in their experience, many other mental health support services were too  curriculum-based, leaving individual needs unmet. They noted that everyone at the garden is exceptionally  skilled at helping each person find tasks that suit them. 

Moreover, the garden naturally creates an  environment where people can interact freely and find their own space. The participant also mentioned that  attending the garden improved their physical health, and that the natural setting, along with the need to  problem-solve, helped nurture their creativity.