Growing Wellbeing at The Lightbulb: Our Partnership with Thrive

At One Trust, we believe that beautiful, sensory outdoor spaces are more than just gardens — they are vital spaces that support wellbeing, independence, and joy. At our Lightbulb service in Wandsworth, our garden has become a sanctuary where the people we support can enjoy fresh air, nature, and the freedom to explore in a safe and calming environment.

While those who attend our services regularly enjoy a wide range of community activities — from swimming and cycling to exhibitions and attractions — we know the importance of also having a safe outdoor space close at hand. Our garden provides exactly that: a place where people can relax, connect with nature, and exercise independence with light-touch supervision. For many, this sense of freedom is both empowering and restorative.

Partnering with Thrive

Our journey in creating this special garden has been greatly enriched by our partnership with Thrive, the leading UK charity that uses gardening and horticulture to improve health and wellbeing. Thrive’s mission is to harness the therapeutic power of gardening to bring positive change to people’s lives — something that resonates strongly with our own values at One Trust.

We are fortunate to have Van, a horticultural specialist from Thrive, guiding our budding gardeners. With her passion and expertise, Van has helped us transform our outdoor space into a vibrant natural environment. Her knowledge of plants is inspiring — often bringing in new finds from her walks to work, plants that might otherwise be overlooked but here are given new life and purpose.

A Sensory Oasis in the Heart of Wandsworth

Thanks to everyone’s hard work, our garden is becoming a multi-sensory oasis. Gentle water features add soothing sounds, textured plants and surfaces provide sensory stimulation, and fragrant flowers create a welcoming atmosphere. Alongside this, we are also growing our own vegetables — a rewarding activity that combines hands-on learning with the joy of harvesting fresh produce.

We are also deeply grateful to Wimbledon Tennis, who kindly donated plants at the end of the championships. These generous contributions have added colour and vitality to our space, and as our young plants grow and mature, we look forward to seeing the garden flourish into a lush, secret retreat.

Why Our Garden Matters

More than just a beautiful setting, our garden at the Lightbulb is a vital part of our service provision. Being outdoors has proven benefits for mental health, physical wellbeing, and social connection. For those we support, it offers a safe and inclusive space where they can experience independence, engage their senses, and enjoy the simple pleasures of nature.