Squire’s Garden Centres will be holding a ‘plantathon’on World Mental Health Day (this Thursday, 10 October) to help raise awareness of mental health issues.

Plant teams at all the group’s 16 garden centres will be planting up pots from 9.30am until 3.30pm. Customers can buy the planted containers for £5 (while stocks last).

Squire’s believes there are strong links between gardening and mental health, because gardening offers fresh air, good exercise and relaxation. In a recent survey of nearly 2,000, Squire’s found that 94% of people thought gardening was good for mental health and wellbeing, and 92% would recommend gardening to others as an aid to mental health.

Proceeds of the ‘plantathon’ will go to local charities. And at Squire’s in Long Ditton the local fire brigade will be rolling up their sleeves and getting involved with the planting to remember a colleague who took his own life last year. Squire’s will donate some of the planted containers to Esher Fire Station to assist with the memorial garden that they are creating and to show their support for mental health wellness in the fire brigade.

Talking to others can help us stay in good mental health, so after watching the planting customers can sit at a ‘Chatter & Natter’ table in Squire’s Café Bar to meet people in the local community and have a chat over a cup of coffee.