05 Jun 2026
The Forward Trust is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Garon Park in Southend, launching a community initiative called Forward Growing.
Starting on 29 May 2026, Forward and Garon Park will work together over a twelve-week programme of weekly gardening sessions, taking place every Friday from 11:00am to 12:00pm. The initiative has been designed to support the development of the garden space and gardening club at Forward’s Southend Treatment and Recovery Service (STARS), while creating new opportunities for people to connect with nature, build confidence, and develop practical skills in an outdoor environment.
The sessions will encourage active engagement with the natural world and help participants experience the wellbeing benefits of spending time outdoors. As the partnership develops, the programme will also contribute towards the creation of a dedicated Forward gardening area at Garon Park, providing a lasting space for recovery, learning, and community involvement.
Alongside the gardening programme, Garon Park will also be supporting Forward’s popular Thursday Walk and Talk Group, which runs from 2:30pm to 4:00pm. Participants will have the opportunity to access Garon Park as part of these sessions, with an optional minibus pick-up and drop-off service available from:
Southend Treatment and Recovery Service (STARS)
25–27 Weston Road
Southend-on-Sea
SS1 1AS
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to improving wellbeing through access to outdoor spaces, physical activity, and positive social connections.
Paula Lee, Coordinator at The Forward Trust in Southend, said:
“Our walk and talk sessions offer more than just fresh air, they create a safe, welcoming space for our service users to connect, reflect, and feel supported. In collaboration with the Garon Park Wellbeing Service, who kindly support us by collecting our clients and bringing them back to STARS, the experience was made even more accessible and inclusive. These simple moments, side by side, are where confidence grows, conversations open, and people feel less alone on their recovery journey.”
The partnership extends beyond gardening. Garon Park is also working with Forward’s creative writing and art groups to help develop resources and materials that support community initiatives and future events.
Projects will include activities such as storyboarding community garden characters, creating artwork and promotional materials, and contributing creative ideas that bring local green spaces to life. This collaborative approach provides participants with additional opportunities to develop skills, express themselves creatively, and contribute to meaningful community projects.
Forward Growing represents an exciting step forward in creating more opportunities for recovery, wellbeing, and community engagement through nature. By bringing together gardening, walking, creativity, and community participation, the partnership aims to create lasting benefits for participants while helping to build stronger connections between people and the environment.
We look forward to seeing the programme flourish and to developing an enduring gardening legacy at Garon Park in the months and years ahead.
