1991 – Early Concepts in England 

Our Founder and President, Natasha Donnelly, explained that she was always looking for new concepts and approaches to aid communication with at-risk populations. “I had seen the benefits of community gardens bringing generations together in London and in the form of allotments in Yorkshire. I had also been inspired by a colleague, Dr. Elizabeth Tomlin who wrote an undergraduate study entitled “Park Life,” analyzing the benefits of public outdoor spaces. I knew there were huge benefits to learning how to communicate in different ways and in enhanced settings.”

2003 to 2006 – England

As a University Lecturer in England, Natasha had the wonderful experience of sharing an office with Diana Seach, a published author, and Principal Lecturer in Special Educational Needs and Early Years and Programme Co-ordinator for the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination. While Natasha was preparing a module entitled “Issues in Mental Health” Diana introduced her to the “The Centre for Experiential Education” at the University of Leuven (Belgium) led by Prof. Dr. Ferre Laevers.

Natasha says, “I was invited to hear the team talk and this inspired me to engage with new concepts to assist with breaking down communication barriers with adolescents who had experienced trauma and or who lived with mental health issues. I later adapted ideas from “the box of feelings” and the use of color when running “Risky Behavior’s” groups for adolescents. I found that this group had difficulty communicating both positive and negative stories or experiences. I wanted to know about their achievements and what made them happy so that I could remind them of those when they had days that were more difficult.”

Natasha decided to research and incorporate Diana’s work on sensory spaces into her module but also to research therapeutic spaces for students. Natasha had also just founded a national charity for students living with mental health issues in England called Students in Mind which had a board which included Heads of Student Services, Heads of Counselling Services, The Samaritans, Mind, Mental Health Media, students, Emma Pickering, and ethical business expert Nicky Amos. Alongside, adding sensory concepts to her curriculum for the University, Natasha worked with the Royal College of Design to design the first Sensory Lounge for students in London. The charity went on to hold outdoor events to introduce students to the therapeutic benefits of garden and park life. This led to the Major of London allowing them to close a street outside the University of London to hold a mental health event exploring arts and outdoor activities. With the support of James McAteer, this was a smaller version of International Sanity Fair, (a city-wide street festival and conference founded by James). It was an exciting time.

2012 to 2014 – North Carolina, USA

Natasha had been working at Central Regional Hospital and Whitaker PRTF when she met Dr. Ray Newnan, Dr. Sena Devaney, and Dr. Carol Williams. At Central Regional Hospital she had returned to her early interest in wanting to find ways to assist in opening channels of communication with at-risk youth. She started to develop the use of color to express a mood whether happy or sad. Outdoor walking was useful to encourage deep breathing, connecting with outdoor surroundings and a way of establishing a shared and healthy conversation. Natasha wanted to design and implement a garden that incorporated all of these things and more. She took the concept to Dr. Ray Newnam the Clinical Director at Whitaker PRTF and he encouraged her to run with it. She also spent time with Dr. Carol Williams researching the use of color, outdoor spaces, enhancing healthy conversations, outdoor arts, and sensory gardens.

A garden Whitaker PRTF was designed and researched by Natasha Donnelly, Ph.D. and psychologist Carol Williams (safety, therapeutic concepts, and other sensory garden research). This design was created with the support of the Clinical Director Ray Newnam and Ben Markoch at NC State, now an alumnus who kindly measured the space and put our ideas into a drawing.

2015 to 2019 – UNC, NC State University, Juvenile Justice

Natasha was introduced to the wonderful gardens at UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh.  She observed patients, visitors and staff visibly relaxing as they entered each of these gardens. The gardens inspired healthy conversations at emotionally challenging times. She quickly realized these really were essential but had to be designed in a specific and faciliatory way for young people who had experienced trauma and or lived with mental health issues.  Natasha applied for the position of Assistant Manager for Juvenile Justice (JJ) at the State of North Carolina! She went to the interview armed with the Whitaker PRTF drawing. She explained during the interview why and how these gardens could be adapted for JJ settings and how this would benefit students and staff.

Natasha accepted the position, and this garden concept became part of her role. She spent hours reviewing ideas, discussing safety and concepts with JJ staff, looking at ways of fundraising, completing a GCC (Governor’s Crime Commission) Grant Application and others.

Natasha knew we needed the expertise of a horticultural team to help with this garden, so she reached out to the North Carolina State (NC State) Horticultural Department. She was introduced to Anne Spafford who was excited about the project and keen to be involved.

Natasha wanted to show staff what an outdoor space could be used for and alongside these we realized we needed a fundraising event.  As a State employee Natasha could not fundraise but in her spare time (with the help of her ballet trainee daughter!), we were able to contact and confirm many local artists who were kindly able to perform at this event. Justin Le Blanc a fashion designer was interested in supporting the event and having a runway show. He said, “I would love to do an outdoor show.” This was perfect it led to an outdoor event at the JC Raulston Arboretum. Anne Spafford gave hours of her work time to support Natasha and the team with the logistics of the event. Anne also designed sections of the Arboretum Gardens and shared her professional connections with us! The event was a go! The community came together. NC State students, community volunteers (including Anna Campbell, MaryAnn Tormey, Jane Miller, and others), and Juvenile Justice staff hosted an amazing outdoor event.

This truly became a community initiative!

Natasha left Juvenile Justice (JJ) to focus on four things, trauma-focused gardens, returning to school to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, setting up her own consultancy and completing a book based on her Ph.D. about suicide prevention and learning from narratives. Prior to leaving JJ, she was given permission by Secretary William Lassiter to continue to work to facilitate and support Juvenile Justice with the implementation of the first Trauma Focused Garden. Following Natasha’s departure, Dawn Thomas a psychologist working for JJ became the internal project liaison.  Natasha realized it would be easier to work on this from the outside because that would give her the freedom to network, fundraise and still assist JJ with grant applications to secure a trauma-focused therapeutic garden.

Natasha established a financial committee which transformed into the non-profit organization Trauma Focused Therapeutic Community (TFTC) Gardens.  A Board of Trustees was established to carry on the legacy of Natasha’s work.

We are grateful to the inclusive communities who are welcoming our trauma-focused therapeutic community gardens into their areas for at-risk populations!

Our first trauma-focused therapeutic community garden is being created at the Cumberland Juvenile Detention Center in Fayetteville, NC.

Join us. We invite all community members who are interested in volunteering, donating, or supporting our gardens.

Photo Credit: Raymond Hui