Willow Springs Creative Centre, located northwest of Thunder Bay in northwestern Ontario, has been delivering therapeutic horticultural programs since 2009. We have created home-based, accessible gardening program for adults with physical and intellectual disabilities, therapeutic gardening programs for children with Autism, seniors in long term care, and horticultural therapy programs for Indigenous children and youth in residential treatment centres. 
We have gardened with people in stroke recovery, with vision loss and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Willow Springs has a long-term relationship with the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association and encourage anyone who is interested in this ever-growing healthcare field to check out CHTA.ca or the AHTA.org for more information. This summer our focus is on four main gardens:Β Β
The Simpson Street Community Garden is all about food sustainability, social prescribing, and providing a safe place for people to gather, learn to garden and reap the therapeutic benefits that putting your hands in the soil offers. Seeing the metaphor of support played out in the garden, as we create trellises for peas and tomatoes, neighbourhood gardeners can see the difference support can make. As we come together, tend the plants, then harvest the food, the garden gives to everyone, especially people who are struggling with addiction and poverty.Β
Southbridge Lakehead Long Term Careβs Pollinator Canoe Garden and Accessible Gardens offer so much. The healing power of being outside, feeling sun on your face, breathing in fresh air, planting seeds then nurturing the emerging life brings hope, joy, and a sense of community as residents and staff work together. With the aroma of herbs and flowers, memories flood back. Stories are shared as we garden together, often hand-in-hand as we support their knowing hands to do familiar tasks done over a lifetime. The gardens provide residents with something to care for, access to the magical life cycle of the Monarch butterfly and allows them to feel civic pride as they contribute beauty to their neighbourhood.Β Β
Willow Springs Grief Garden development is transforming our βbackyardβ into speciality gardens, paths, sitting spots and creative making areas that will be integrated into our evolving program for those affected by grief and dying entitled βThe Mourning Gardenβ. Research shows gardening reduces depression, anxiety and stress related symptoms, improves mood and offers a sense of peace, calm and relaxation, and offers social contact, inclusion and a sense of belonging.Β Β
Please follow our growing work at Willow Springs Creative Centre