Having had a talk in the club about the work of a local nursery with a difference, nine members of SIB went for a visit on September 7, 2026. Cherry Tree Nursery in Bournemouth is a mental health charity and plant nursery that uses therapeutic horticulture to help adults with life-impacting mental health conditions recover their well-being and gain a sense of purpose. The Community Liaison Officer for Plants and Minds, the charity that runs both Cherry Tree and Chestnut Nursery in Poole, was on hand to show us around. Unusually, virtually all the plants on sale are grown on site; cuttings are taken from mature plants to start new ones and these are nurtured to produce high-quality plants familiar with the climactic environment, so they do very well once planted in the area. It provides work experience for approximately 80 service users who benefit considerably from the opportunity, with some going on to gain employment as a result. A delightful afternoon and such a worthwhile organisation.
If you are interested in this and would like to come along to a Soroptimist International Bournemouth meeting to find out more, please email us at sigbibournemouth@hotmail.co.uk.