The benefits of horticulture for mental health
Meet our CEO
He was medically discharged from the MOD in 2016, after he suffered a bilateral stroke caused by a hole in his heart. The stroke has left Jason with disabilities, both physical and cognitive. Jason was also diagnosed with PTSD and has been undergoing treatment.
Jason spent some time at Headley Court undergoing rehabilitation following his stroke. He found the only thing that seemed to have any impact on his mental wellness was gardening.
Our Patron
Andrew Fisher Tomlin is a Chartered Horticulturist and Fellow of the Society of Garden Designers. He is well known for the creation of gardens and parks in many countries including Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean and across Europe for which he won many awards. In recent years he has created gardens for Blind Veterans UK and BLESMA in Llandudno, London and Brighton as well as designing for the RAF100 celebration.
Andrew is also a Director of the London College of Garden Design based in the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, he is a passionate advocate for professional skills training, encouraging young talent and works with a number of organisations to promote education and careers in horticulture & design.
Our Trustees
Louise Bell began her career in publishing and worked in communications for many years, before establishing her own small creative agency, Sunny Creative, in 2012.
A keen gardener, Louise also has an allotment and is an active volunteer on her allotment committee: currently, she is responsible for keeping an eye on finances. For the past nine years she has spent one day each week volunteering in the garden at Great Dixter, as well as supporting regular fund-raising events.
Louise has a strong personal belief in the power of horticulture to benefit both physical and mental health. As director of a successful small business, she brings strong organisational skills to Veterans’ Growth, as well as her expertise in written communications.
Liam Thompson served with the Royal Marines for 6 years as a medic initially with 3 Commando Brigade In med squadron where he undertook arctic warfare training and then with 42 Commando where he saw active service with a tour of Northern Ireland in Crossmaglen.
Although his time in the forces was short, as a medic he got to see firsthand the physical and mental effects active service places on personnel. On leaving the armed forces he went to work as Senior Audiologist with the NHS and then went on to become a Research Audiologist with the Medical Research Council on the modernisation of hearing aid services in the UK.
He has since then held various senior positions within audiology with one of the major hearing aid manufacturers and worked in both private and charity sectors. He has a young family and enjoys walking and golf in his spare time.
Claire Vokins has had the privilege of working in various public and private sectors including aircraft engineering, homeless persons units, CMHT's and housing regeneration in London.
I changed career around 2012 due to what I now realise was a breakdown. I now have my own small gardening company and I love the horticultural industry.
My connection with the armed services comes from doing my work experience at RAF Odiham, and from there developing life long friendships with people who are now Veterans.
Veterans' Growth brings an opportunity to combine my past and current interests and skillsets to help an extremely worthy charity.
Are you a veteran and want to join us?
It's easy to get involved
Check out the latest news
Great news for Veterans' Growth - https://mailchi.mp/a6c320ae6797/great-news-for-veterans-growth
Sensory Herbalism: Karen Lawton combines medical training & years of clinical practice with a passion for plants & creativity. She gives people autonomy in their health by connecting them to local medicinal plants & the magical nature of the green world https://rootsandall.co.uk/portfolio-item/episode-67-sensory-herbalism-with-karen-lawton/
Thank you Jason and Sarah for an amazing visit with @AndyStubbs9 to @VeteransGrowth hearing about their great 12 week courses and residential workshops for veterans. Get in touch for more info!
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