My Garden
Space
Services
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We work with individuals and groups to promote physical, social and mental wellbeing through individual or community gardening programs. This can be tailored to support a range of needs and interests.
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We come alongside individuals who would benefit from support with their gardening due to limited physical mobility, cognitive impairment, or other obstacles to having meaningful social interactions
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This service supports individuals or groups to define specific goals and work towards achieving them. This can include counselling to promote positive mental health and be part of a broader care team approach.
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My Garden Space can provide consultation, program delivery and project management (where appropriate) for educational services and community groups. Ongoing advice and support can also be available following project implementation.
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We also provide specialised in-home/community support through a structured program using gardening/outdoor activities to engage with individuals and facilitate community, civic and social engagement.
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We provide advice and design expertise to ensure your garden / green space is tailored to achieve your therapeutic objectives (eg. A exploratory sensory garden for your child or perhaps a calming green space area for your employees... etc.)
About Us
Tanya Bearup – Therapist Assoc.Dip.H.Serv.; BSocWk
Laying the foundaton for My Garden Space, I have been providing support to individuals and families as a qualified social worker for over 25 years. This has included experience working in youth, child and family services, along with aged care and disability / NDIS services.
I am a passionate gardener and have combined my therapeutic and horticultural (gardening) skills to provide an evidence based approach to promote the physical, mental and social well-being of those with whom I work. As a therapist, I come along-side individuals and groups and support them on their gardening journey. I provide therapeutic gardening services across metropolitan Melbourne and the surrounding areas in whatever space an individual, household or community group may have -from a kitchen window to a back yard to a shared garden space.
What is
Therapeutic Gardening?
Therapeutic gardening is the process of promoting physical, mental and social wellbeing for individuals and communities through: gardening, growing food and engagement with the outdoor environment.
There are many ways in which we can garden. Gardening can occur indoors or outdoors and can be done in whatever space is available to an individual or group. Therapeutic gardening promotes mindfulness through nurturing plants and their environment, enhances focus and attention and facilitates physical health by increasing physical activity and – where appropriate – being outdoors.
“Research has shown that gardening can help people through periods of difficulty in their lives; it has proven to show significant reductions in depression and anxiety, improved social functioning and resilience… Gardening can help you get back on top of things and restore balance, it can make you feel happier, more confident and healthier.” (Gardening – The Feel Good Factor, Thrive UK 2019)
“"Making the terrarium created a moment of relief from what was going on for me at the time. I was able to just be in the moment & felt super grounded and creative!”
22 year-old program participant
"Tanya is a miracle worker! Through horticultural therapy, she helped Mum rediscover her love or gardening and indeed her love of life itself. I knew the day I heard Mum singing to herself as she watered her newly planted strawberries, that Tanya’s sessions had improved my mother’s mental health and quality of life. I can’t recommend Tanya as a horticultural therapist highly enough!”
Mary (daughter of program participant)
“When I have nature all around me, I feel relaxed. It makes me calm down when I have lots of stress & feelings happening.”
School student - program participant
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Contact Us
My Garden Space works across the eastern and south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, but we can also help connect you to a service if you live further abroad. If you would like to explore how My Garden Space might assist you, give Tanya a call on: 0490 238 539 or complete the enquiry form.