The Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity, and Health, is a not-for-profit initiative based on the understanding that working with nature can radically transform people’s health and wellbeing. The aim is to foster community inclusion through gardening and other forms of creativity.
We are excited to announce the second of our one-day symposiums at The Serge Hill Project: A Safe Green Space: Nature and Play.
Taking place on Wednesday 18 June 2025 in The Apple House eco barn, this event explores a topic at the heart of The Serge Hill Project's mission; the transformative relationship between nature, gardens, creativity, wellbeing and play.
Designed for outdoor educators, playworkers, health professionals, teachers, horticultural therapists, gardeners, garden designers and anyone passionate about the intersection of nature and wellbeing, this symposium will uncover the profound connection between nature and play through discussions, practical workshops and presentations.
Just some of the ideas that will be explored on the day:
- What constitutes a safe play space?
- Why do children need to play and how does nature facilitate this?
- What factors are responsible for the demise of play and how can reintroduce more play into children lives?
- How can our playgrounds be more open to the idea of wildness?
- How can play be integrated into public and private garden designs?
- Which countries set the gold standard for approaches to play and how does the UK compare?
With an inspiring line up of speakers -from playworkers to psychotherapists to artists- this symposium will delve deep into the impact nature play has on our development, creativity and wellbeing, explore why it matters, examine how our innate sense of play can fade and discuss ways to put nature play back into the centre of children's, and adults’, daily lives. Join us to hear from a distinguished group of experts, including:
- Caroline Essame, Founder of Developmental Play and author of Why Play Matters and Why Nature Matters
- Emma Spencer, Informal Learning Manager at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
- Dr. Sue Stuart-Smith, Psychotherapist, Psychiatrist and author of The Well Gardened Mind
- Johanna Tagada Hoffbeck, Artist and Founder of The Gardening Drawing Club
- Penny Wilson, Playworker at Assemble Play and author of Play Works
- Mia Witham, Swedish Landscape and Garden Designer
- Adam White and Andree Davies from Davies White Landscape Architects
With more names to be announced. Your ticket includes refreshments, a delicious vegetarian lunch and an experiential activity. Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore The Plant Library of over 1500 perennials and bulbs, hear from Millie Souter our Head Gardener, and visit Tom and Sue Stuart-Smith’s private Barn Garden. Tickets are limited, so book soon to avoid disappointment.
‘Gardening is unique amongst the creative therapies in drawing on the power of nature’s growth and in the extent to which it brings together the emotional, physical, social, vocational and spiritual aspects of life.
Some of the benefits of gardening derive from the focus on caring for plants, others from the direct influence of green nature on our nervous systems. The safe green space of a garden is calming which reduces stress and helps promote human connection.’
— Sue Stuart-Smith
Support Us
At a time when the therapeutic benefits of horticulture are so clear and cuts to social care are so common, this project will provide a space to heal. We envisage the development of the community garden as a whole team effort, with designers and volunteers coming together to create a space that will help people experience the mental and physical health and wellbeing benefits of gardens and gardening.
Explore The Plant Library
Members of The Plant Library have access to a database of more than 1500 different varieties of mainly herbaceous plants. This is a unique and extensive educational and well-being resource for anyone interested in plants and planting design.