Root & Branch provides a haven for people with mental health problems to recover their self esteem and confidence by engaging in various enjoyable but challenging therapeutic activities.  It is based on an organic farm where service users can work in the garden, bang out metalwork in the forge, make toys and furniture in the wood workshop or create many other attractive craft-items.  At any one time the charity is helping around thirty people on the road to recovery.

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Many of the craftwork items and other produce are sold at various events.

Users benefit in many ways by learning new skills and gaining the confidence to move on with their life including getting back to work or seeking educational challenges.  A recent service user returned to work and also started volunteering at another mental health centre.  She tells us, “I was in hospital this time last year so I’ve been coming to Root & Branch less than a year. I can’t believe the progress I’ve made.  It’s helped me form a routine in my life and raised my confidence levels.  Before, I felt ostracised by society.  Coming here normalises mental health problems and makes it seem not such a big deal.”

 

Root & Branch also holds lively fundraising events for which public support is always greatly appreciated.  The last event was a harvest supper which included vegetables grown in our garden along with vegetables kindly donated by Colesehill Organics.
The charity is lucky to have fifteen enthusiastic, energetic volunteers who are absolutely essential to our work and contribute their time regularly to lead and help with activities.  New volunteers are always welcome.

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More about Root & Branch can be found on the web site: