Unpaid carers are invited to join a free fortnight of simple gardening and nature activities launching next week from Carers UK and Thrive.
Green Care for You is a gentle two-week programme designed to help unpaid carers, looking after a family member or friend who is older, disabled or has a long-term health condition, enjoy the benefits of gardening and nature in a way that fits around their caring role.
From 22 June 2026, carers can sign up to receive simple nature and gardening activities themed as green haven, plant appreciation, herbal tea break, flower arranging, growing microgreens, sound walk and wildlife station.
From a two-minute microbreak to a 20-minute activity, there’s something for everyone to enjoy a moment with nature their way. They don’t even need a garden, and can take part indoors or outdoors.
Why nature and gardening?
Spending time with nature – even briefly – can help people to feel calmer, more positive and more connected.
Gardening activities help people to stay active. From sowing seeds to tending plants, these simple tasks build strength, improve flexibility and work on overall wellbeing.
Carers who are physically active, no matter how much they do, say that it significantly improves their health and wellbeing, and boosts self-esteem and confidence.
Unpaid carer Isabel says: “Caring is life changing and rewarding but it is also incredibly tough at times. I find gardening really helpful for my mental health as a way to slow down and connect with nature. It’s a nice activity to do which isn’t about me being a carer. I enjoy little things like weeding where you can just pop outside for a few minutes and clear your head and your garden.”
A caring partnership
Green Care for You is a campaign from Carers UK, the national charity supporting unpaid carers and Thrive, a leading gardening for health charity transforming lives through gardening.
The campaign is part of the Carers Active Project, led by Carers UK and supported by Sport England, that aims to improve the physical and mental health of unpaid carers through activity.
Together, Carers UK and Thrive are helping carers to improve their health and wellbeing by promoting nature-based activities which help them to take a break from their caring responsibilities.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, says: “63% of carers said their caring role reduces the amount of exercise that they’re able to do, and feel that if they could move more, it would improve their health and wellbeing. We are working with Thrive to make it easier for unpaid carers to get active. Green Care for You is a motivating fortnight to help carers make some time for themselves through the benefits of gardening and nature.”
Ben Thomas, Chief Executive of Thrive, says: “Being active and doing some form of exercise, like gardening, helps improve both physical and mental health, strengthening muscles, reducing stress and providing a sense of purpose. For carers who are under constant demand, gardening activities can gently exercise the body while providing a mental break. The simple act of being in a garden can become a haven.”
Free microgreen seeds
The first 250 people who sign up will receive a free packet of microgreen seeds to grow at home.
Live garden talk and gentle stretches
Carers who sign up for Green Care for You can join a live online session to kick off the fortnight on Monday 22 June 2026 at 11:00am – 12:00pm and begin the two-week journey with a ‘Move, stretch, grow – staying active through gardening’ session.
The session is open to all and will include gentle strengthening movements to help with gardening, explore how gardening boosts moods, and offer practical activities to help enjoy nature in ways that work for carers.
Register for the live session at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6iVIAy8yRX-claRm4sD2Rw#/registration
Carers can sign up for Green Care for You and take their first steps towards feeling calmer, more positive and more connected here: https://uk.emma-live.com/greencareforyou
