Tanya inspects berries on the tree while holding an umbrella

Gardening therapy: Growing together

Watch Tanya's interview with Channel 4 News at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Tanya explains how the gardening group at Freedom from Torture helped her regain her voice, find community and begin to heal from the trauma of her past.
Seeing things grow, something was growing in me.
Tanya, survivor of torture

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Gardening in the horticultural therapy programme was transformational for Tanya. She explains how watering the plants and pruning the weeds helped her overcome her anxiety and nightmares. 

Alongside other torture survivors in the gardening group, she wasn’t just growing plants, she was growing as a person. She was coming back from years of despair and returning to a sense of wellbeing, all while growing in confidence & independence.

Read more of Tanya's journey, in her own words here.

When you plant a seed, you put it in rich fertile ground and it needs someone to water it, to look after it... That’s how I was. The people in the group helped nurture my body, my mind, my heart.


Inspired by Tanya's story of resilience and recovery? You can help other survivors, like her, rebuild their lives through horticultural therapy.

Why not bring your friends and family together and raise funds for torture survivors this summer? Host an Open Garden and enjoy a community BBQ or organise a small plant sale in your backyard. We're here to support you with resources like invites and posters - all you have to do is pick a date!

Host an Open Garden this Summer