World Therapeutic Horticulture Day (WTHD) takes place next week on 18 May 2026 to shine a light on the far-reaching ways in which Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) helps people improve their health and wellbeing.
Thrive, a leading gardening for health charity, is joining the day which this year brings behind-the-scenes views of the therapeutic gardening and natured-based activities that are practiced in different settings around the world.
Thrive has been transforming lives through gardening for over 45 years. The life-changing benefits support people physically, mentally and socially, and are especially valuable for disabled people and those experiencing ill-health and disadvantage.
The many health benefits include stress and pain reduction, improved mood, physical activity and life satisfaction, as well as having a positive impact on the environment and in bringing communities together. As people around the world seek ways to deal with mental ill-health, a stroke, dementia, muscular skeletal conditions and lung conditions, among other health conditions, gardening provides a sustainable route to recovery, rehabilitation and overall wellbeing.
This highly effective and cost-efficient proven model of care is recognised by GPs, occupational therapists, social prescribing link workers, mental health practitioners and social workers making the practice a powerful ally in supporting health and care systems.
Thrive CEO Ben Thomas says: “We see the health benefits of gardening in our gardens every day. We are also pleased to support professionals to deliver Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH). Together we enable thousands of people to transform their health.
“WTHD provides an opportunity to raise awareness of STH’s role in supporting people’s health and wellbeing across health and social care systems around the world. We invite everyone to join this global movement by spreading awareness about the life-changing impact of STH.”
Thrive delivers STH programmes for hundreds of people at its three gardens in Birmingham, London and Reading. And, provides STH training for practitioners, and online gardening advice for disabled people and people living with health conditions.
In celebration of the day, Thrive is promoting a range of activities across its centres:
Join this day of awareness, celebration, and stories using the hashtag #WTHD
Visit www.thrive.org.uk/world-therapeutic-horticulture-day to find out more about WTHD.
