Grow your wellbeing in JNC garden

Come to our garden! In Mental Health Month, on Monday 22 October, The Junction Neighbourhood Centre will be hosting an event to highlight the way gardens help us to grow in wellbeing.

Come along at 1pm to the community garden in Clementson Park, cr Newland Street and Ebley Street, in Bondi Junction. (Thanks to Waverley Council for making this garden available for our activities)

The JNC will provide a free BBQ and there will be a talk from guest speaker Joanne Aquilina. Joanne will share her knowledge on the way gardens offer the chance for us to learn new skills, get together with others, and feel great.

A free BBQ will be provided, and visitors will be able to connect with members of our regular Garden Walk and Talk group, who meet on Mondays to enjoy the open air, a cuppa and the chance to meet people in the community.

The great thing about gardens

Joanne says, “The evidence of improved mental and physical health outcomes that can be achieved through interacting with nature is well-documented. Therapeutic gardens are a wonderful way of providing regular stimulating yet relaxing interaction with nature.

“Gardens aren’t just a great place for those with special medical needs, though; they are a beautiful and healthy resource for everyone. By encouraging interaction with the natural world through therapeutic gardens, family, friends, carers and the entire community can benefit.”

Joanne continues, “If people in our community can access therapeutic gardens, they can enhance their physical and mental wellbeing. Gardens help every person grow – regardless of developmental, cognitive, psychological or physical challenges.”

About our speaker

Joanne Aquilina is the founder of Therapeutic Gardens Australia, and her team works to create therapeutic landscapes, “people focused gardens” that promote enhanced health outcomes. She works to bring about change in the way Australians approach healthcare for those living with special medical needs, their support networks, and the wider community.

Other Mental Health Week events

See our monthly calendar for more Mental Health Month events