Exploring the perspectives of 'young adults' (18-24) who have been in formal care and their experiences of attending a socially prescribed community allotment gardening group.
Emma J Moore, Miranda Thew
PMID 40337181WHAT IT FOUND
Care leavers described allotment gardening as a safe space where shared physical tasks with peers reduced isolation.
The group offered respite from past trauma, allowing them to build confidence and social connections without scrutiny.
Key findings
01Participants valued the allotment as a 'safe space' that allowed them to express themselves and share experiences without fear of judgment or alienation.
02Engaging in shared physical occupations, such as building raised beds, fostered social connections and helped participants build relationships outside the group.
03The nature-based environment and meaningful activity served as a distraction from stressors, leading to clearer thinking and improved mental wellbeing.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study included only six participants, so the findings cannot be generalised to all care leavers or young adults. The participants were all from the same group and had similar backgrounds, which may have reinforced the positive views of the intervention. The study did not measure clinical outcomes like mood or wellbeing scores, so it cannot prove the intervention was effective, only how it was experienced. Data was collected via Skype, which may have limited the depth of non-verbal cues compared to face-to-face interviews.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that allotment gardening is an evidence-based treatment for mental health or social isolation in this population. This study describes how six people felt about the experience; it did not measure whether their wellbeing actually improved compared to no treatment.