Established in 1994, Bridewell Gardens specialises in the field of social & therapeutic horticulture to support people whose lives have been significantly affected by mental ill-health to work towards recovery. For three decades, Bridewell Gardens has provided a safe and nurturing environment where people can work together to create and develop a stunning walled garden and care for a 5-acre vineyard.
Located in the heart of West Oxfordshire, the garden is a peaceful setting where people can find tranquillity, build confidence, and develop new skills. The combination of therapeutic gardening, personalised support, and a strong sense of community has made Bridewell Gardens a beacon of hope and healing in Oxfordshire. Working from the 6.5 acre walled garden and vineyard site in Wilcote, the service is part of the Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership and receives referrals through Oxford Health, GPs, and voluntary sector organisations.
Using the principles of social and therapeutic horticulture, Bridewell offers a structured working day in a supportive environment and provides time and space for people to work towards recovery. The primary activity at Bridewell is managing and maintaining the garden, with opportunities to practice willow weaving, blacksmithing, woodwork, and cooking using food grown in the garden.
Open year-round, Bridewell Gardens offers a range of activities, trips and support designed to foster better mental health and social engagement. Bridewell works with 70-90 people each year who have experienced serious mental ill health including diagnoses of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression. In the last 12 months 48% of people moving on from Bridewell have returned to paid employment (28%) and volunteering (20%). Everyone attending is supported to engage in meaningful activity, to rebuild self-esteem and confidence.
Committed to its mission of providing transformative mental health support so that everyone, whatever their mental health can live well in our communities, Bridewell’s future plans will enable the organisation to reach into the community to work with more people affected by mental ill health, and to better meet the needs of the local community. The organisation has therefore launched an ambitious fundraising campaign for a new £160k capital project within the gardens. This project will expand its therapeutic programme to better serve the community. An overhaul of crumbling infrastructure, a new year-round activity space and outdoor kitchen and a new polytunnel to increase production of plants.
The first phase of this fundraising campaign, a crowdfunding campaign to raise £59k for a key working space at Bridewell has just been launched for which the organisation is seeking support.
“Bridewell gave me a purpose. It gave me fulfilment. It provided meaning in my life. It gave me relationships I value. It brought me even closer to nature. It provided a focus on the seasons (of the year and of life). It made me feel valued and useful.”