Garden Therapy and Design

Breathing Spaces Garden Therapy and Design was founded by Lisa Leach and Claire Hunt in 2013, and have since been getting all sorts of people gardening together, but especially people who are struggling, because gardening lowers stress, gives purpose and connects people.

They have a therapeutic community garden and small flower farm in Worthing, and manage a wildflower site in Sompting – ‘breathing spaces’ – places for visitors and volunteers to find calmness, wonder and connection to nature and the seasons.

Breathing Spaces organise volunteer groups to tend to the garden, flower farm and wildflower site: These sessions are designed to improve the wellbeing of the volunteers including people with learning difficulties, with mental health challenges and in recovery from trauma, as well as benefit the community and the environment. They also run occasional therapeutic short courses and opportunities for the wider public to engage with nature and gardening.

• Wildflower Site, Dankton Lane, Sompting – Thursday 10-12.30.
• Welcome Woodland Garden and Community Flower Farm – Thurs 10.30-12.30 and Friday 2.30pm-4.30pm.

Nature and Learning

Many thanks to: Worthing Borough Council, West Sussex County Council, Worthing Wildlife, Worthing Homes, Transition Town Worthing, Community Central, Community Chest, Tesco’s Bags of Help, Sussex Wildlife Trust & The Big Lottery and ALL OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS!

In February 2015, a spectacular living Willow Dome was created in Beach House Park as part of a new community project ‘Bugcycle’ organised by Creative Waves. The project continues and has involved community groups, schools, students and volunteers, who have attended free workshops to create unusual planters, seating and artwork from recycled materials.

This disused park area has been transformed into a creative, educational, sensory garden. The new habitat includes flowers, vegetables, trees, herbs, attracts local wildlife and insects.

History and Wildlife

The Friends of Broadwater & Worthing Cemetery organisation is dedicated to the revival and preservation of the graves of Broadwater cemetery. This once beautiful place of rest had fallen into disrepair and ruin over the past few decades. With our many volunteers and sponsors, they are working to restore this cemetery back to its former glory, as a peaceful and idyllic place of rest.

FBWC are members of the National Federation of Cemetery Friends, the Worthing Heritage Alliance and Green Tides, the Adur & Worthing green spaces partnership.

The Friends bring the cemetery to life with regular tours throughout summer, describing the history of those resting there. Visit their Facebook page for the latest information.

Community Food Growing

May Close community allotment was set up by a core group of TTW volunteers during 2020.

Volunteer days vary depending on who is available to manage them. At present we are just working with this small core group of six people because of current restrictions, managing the site using own equipment and social distancing.  We hope to open this out to the general public when allowed.

With gratitude to Worthing Homes for letting us use their land.

Twin Urban Parks

The Victoria Park Volunteer Group is committed to nurturing our local green spaces, and supporting the many communities and groups who enjoy them. We learn new skills and make our park even more beautiful than it already is.

Victoria and Amelia Parks are both subject to the loss of green space funding and resource seen by cities and towns nationwide.

We believe that our parks are fundamental to community health and well-being, and we are determined to maintain them to the best of our ability.

Busy Urban Park

Friends of Homefield Park is a local community group dedicated to the upkeep and regeneration of Homefield Park, Worthing. We aim to maintain and improve the facilities of our park by representing the interests of all who use it and keeping up a constant line of communication with the local council. We also organise annual community events such as picnics, cleanups and family fun days.

Species-Rich Wildlife Sanctuary

Worthing’s first community garden, transforming a neglected space into a tranquil green oasis for people and wildlife.

Regular open days every second Saturday of the month 10am-4pm (5pm in summer) – open and welcome for visits – please visit our Facebook page to see the most up-to-date information.

Hands-on working days most Wednesday mornings – enjoy at-your-own pace gardening activities and meet new friends.

Groups visits / conservation volunteers days at other times by arrangement – please phone or email to arrange.

Heritage Gardens

Highdown Gardens is situated between Ferring and Goring nestled on the South Downs and operated by Adur and Worthing Council. Entry into the gardens is free of charge.

These stunningly beautiful gardens on downland countryside overlooking the sea, are one of the least known gardens in the area, but it is one that offers a unique collection of rare plants and trees. In fact the whole garden has been deemed a National Collection.

The Friends of Highdown is an established volunteer group who assist with a variety of jobs in the gardens. Tasks from the above list can be found to suit most abilities. Any spare time you have could be well rewarded just by being in such a beautiful garden environment. It is a friendly, informal group who all enjoy gardening and being outdoors and work under the direction of the Highdown Gardens’ team.

The 34479 sq m (8.52 acres) of garden were created out of a chalk pit overlooking the Downs, where there was little soil and very unfavourable conditions for plant growth. The Chalk Garden at Highdown is the achievement of Sir Frederick and Lady Stern who worked for 50 years to prove that plants would grow on chalk. This was during a period when many expeditions were going out to China and the Himalayan regions collecting rare and beautiful plants.

Many of the original plants from the early collections can still be seen in the garden today, particularly plants collected by two pioneering botanists Reginald Farrer and Ernest Henry Wilson.

1920’s Ornamental Park

Denton Gardens is a public ornamental gardens located just to the east of the Steyne Gardens Conservation Area in central Worthing.

Gifted to the people of Worthing in 1922 by Alderman J.G. Denton, the gardens incorporate a delightful sunken garden at the northern end and a characterful 1920s shelter adjacent to the promenade to the south.

For those who enjoy a peaceful walk away from the bustling crowds on the beach, Denton Gardens offers a respite of green space to relax and enjoy the tranquility. Set beside a grade II listed Georgian terrace, the gardens attract dog walkers, picnickers, joggers and for those with a fun, competitive nature, an ever popular 18 hole mini-golf course.

Friends of Denton Gardens aim is to celebrate all that Denton Gardens is and has to offer, and to help preserve its character for future generations. As we approach the centenary of Denton Garden’s opening, we, the beneficiaries of Alderman Denton’s gift, all have a duty to preserve it into the next century.

Revitalised Park and Lake

The Friends of Brooklands Park are a local community group elping with the new improvements to the park. These include improvements for wildlife and their habitat, from a newly dredged lake to wildflower meadows and beehives. The Friends encourage the local community to get involved with and use of the park by holding events and task days throughout the year./p>