Royal Trinity Hospice Senior Counsellor Laura Newman reflects on how the act of gardening better connects us to nature providing a coping mechanism for managing the stress and sadness of a bereavement.

“Gardening provides a place and space to attend to our grief without intrusion from the ongoing demands of work, family and everyday responsibilities.

In the act of gardening, we both work and rest in one.  

A place to think – or not – immersed in an activity outside of ourselves, as well as tending to, or repairing our innermost personal self in the process.   

The Bereavement Gardening Group is led by Trinity’s Senior Counsellors and Bereavement Service in the gardens or greenhouse. Through structured group sessions, participants engage in meaningful activities, such as planting, connecting them to nature, whilst joining the unique community of being with others going through grief too.

The Bereavement sessions start with a meditation reading relevant to the current month’s nature highlights. For example, September ‘is a time of gratitude for the abundance of life; for gathering in and sharing with friends, family, community and beyond[1]. 

Previous attendees have hugely appreciated the no-pressure environment to talk about the death of their loved one (or not), with the focus being on plants and sharing gardening tips.

Talking about a bereavement is very difficult and our clients have expressed that doing something with their hands and avoiding eye contact with others, feels safer and easier to open up, which has made them more comfortable to talk with others who have similar experiences.

A memorable interaction from the last group I worked in the gardens with, was when I encouraged the clients to dig their hands deep into the soil, and let it gently run through their fingers and notice how it felt. After first doing this, they all felt compelled to repeat this noticing what an enjoyable sensation it gave, and were surprised at how unexpectedly pleasurable it was to connect on such a basic level with nature, and how grounding it was.   

 Gardening in the hospice's garden setting, is holistic self care, generating a sense of self restoration and healing, which in time creates an ability to cope, strengthening self resilience in the journey of bereavement.  

Have you gone through your own bereavement and are interested in spending time outdoors?

Gardening groups for bereaved friends and relatives are offered as part of Trinity’s free Living Well programme.

The next round of Gardening Groups will meet 5 times over 10 weeks on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, starting Wednesday 12 March. The Bereavement Group is a morning meet, with people gardening for 90 minutes followed by optional teas and coffees to finish.

Autumn sessions will start in September 2025.

For details of the next sessions, please contact Senior Counsellor, Laura Newman via email: [email protected]