Plants and Minds would like to thank Dorset Coast Radio for singing the praises of its nurseries – and mental health support – on the station’s Community Connect show.
Presenter Barry (pictured above) welcomed Community Liaison Officer Maria and PR/Communications Officer Marc (pictured below) as guests on the show, which took place on Tuesday 3 February.
You can listen to the Plants and Minds edition of the Community Connect show as a podcast, by clicking here: https://player.autopod.xyz/1185524
Thousands of listeners across Dorset heard how Cherry Tree Nursery in Bournemouth and Chestnut Nursery in Poole provides horticultural therapy for adults with life-impacting mental health conditions – and sell great value, top quality plants to support the service.
Maria revealed that Cherry Tree Nursery’s Spring Fayre and Plant Sale will take place on Saturday 21 march; previewed a special 25th anniversary celebration event that will take place at Chestnut Nursery on Saturday 28 March, and explained how fundraising is essential to help Plants and Minds deliver its therapeutic horticulture programme.
Listeners heard how Cherry Tree Nursery supports up to 80 people with mental health challenges on any given week, while its sister nursery Chestnut provides horticultural therapy for around 45 people a week.
In between the station’s pre-chosen selection of music tracks, Marc discussed the benefits of therapeutic horticulture, looking at how working outdoors with plants, surrounded by nature in a friendly community, is having an amazing effect on improving the mental health and wellbeing of team members.
Established in 1972 as a registered charity, the station was previously known as Hospital Radio Bedside before obtaining a DAB licence in 2024 and rebranding as Dorset Coast Radio in 2025 to broadcast to a wider audience across Dorset.
The station informs, educates and empowers individuals and communities about their health and wellbeing, sharing information about local services which can support a healthier lifestyle.
Dorset Coast Radio provides a platform for local people and communities to share their stories, recruit volunteers, highlight their funding needs and promote their activities for free. To find out more, visit www.dorsetcoastradio.co.uk