St Mary the Virgin Church in Lewisham has won a Green Church Award in the Green Health category for its therapeutic garden. The garden was granted Green Flag status last summer.
Saint Cecilia’s Church of England School was also highly commended in the Green Building category for the green technology in its new teaching wing, as well as for the efforts to increase biodiversity with new planting and habitat for wildlife. Read more.
About St Mary’s Lewisham Therapeutic Garden
“We’re delighted that St Mary’s Therapeutic Garden has won another award. It has grown into a wonderful project for church and community and a haven of healing and peace for so many people, including the many volunteers who help. And of course it’s a home for increasing biodiversity for nature and wildlife.”
Fr Steve, Vicar of St Mary’s
A haven of calm and tranquillity in the heart of Lewisham, the garden is open to anyone who would like a place to sit quietly, and enjoy the beauty and peace it offers. It was created through a joint collaboration between the Ladywell Unit (SLaM) and St Mary’s Church in 2017, to promote mental wellbeing through gardening. It has perennial beds, wildflower meadows, an orchard, a woodland area and raised beds for vegetables and salads. These are looked after by volunteers, including some from the Ladywell Unit, Mind, and referrals from GP surgeries. Regular gardening sessions take place every Tuesday afternoon, 1-3pm, when everyone is welcome to join in. It is open for visitors to enjoy every day.
