Therapeutic gardens They have established themselves as a valuable alternative for improving the quality of life of people who need special care or who are looking for a healthy environment in which to thrive. More and more institutions and social entities are committed to creating these spaces, where gardening and working with the land They serve as tools to enhance emotional health, integration and learning.
In recent months, various initiatives have highlighted the positive impact of therapeutic gardens. On the one hand, associations such as AFA Fuengirola-Mijas have managed to mobilize their community to create a new garden designed to enhance the well-being of the users of their day center. On the other hand, Campos del Río Penitentiary Center has combined poetic memory and therapeutic work in a cultural and social proposal with the planting of a cutting from Miguel Hernández's fig tree in his own orchard.
The therapeutic garden of AFA Fuengirola-Mijas: a space for improvement and hope
The AFA Fuengirola-Mijas association She has been dedicated for years to caring for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias, and is now working on launching a therapeutic garden which will begin to become a reality after the summer. revenue raised Through their charitable activities and citizen collaboration, they make it possible for this project to move forward despite logistical challenges, such as the construction of a retaining wall necessary to adapt the land.
More than 200 people participated in the last charity gala organized for this purpose, demonstrating the involvement and solidarity of local society. The president of the association, Paqui Lebrón, has insisted on the relevance of this space as an integral part of the therapies for the center's users. The works, although complex, are seen as an essential step toward offering new activities and stimulation to this group.
Both the City Council and other public institutions have expressed their support for the project, which strengthens the commitment to comprehensive care for the elderly and dependents. The organization has also called for the volunteer jobs., inviting the community to get involved in the development and maintenance of the garden, which is key to ensuring the sustainability of the initiative.
The therapeutic and symbolic value of the Campos del Río Penitentiary Center
At the Murcia II Penitentiary Center, the creation of a therapeutic garden has taken on a special dimension by incorporating elements of culture and historical memory. During the cultural week dedicated to the poet Miguel Hernández, a cutting of the famous fig tree from the poet's birthplace was planted in the center's own garden. This event, supported by academic and cultural institutions, connects inmates with history and literature, offering them an opportunity to rehabilitation and personal growth through working with the land.
These types of projects reinforce the importance of nature and culture as therapeutic support tools, facilitating the emotional reconnection and promoting values such as responsibility and hope. The arrival of the cutting not only adds botanical value to the space, but is also a symbol of hope and redemption. The inmates will be responsible for caring for the plant, which reinforces the sense of belonging.
In addition, workshops, readings, and theatrical performances related to the poet's work were held throughout the week, making the garden a place of activity and encounter. The involvement of family members, institutional representatives, and members of the prison community highlights the importance of these projects in promoting the emotional well and social reintegration, taking advantage of nature and culture as therapeutic support tools.
These experiences show how the concept of therapeutic garden It can be adapted to very different contexts, from caring for elderly people with memory problems to interventions in vulnerable groups such as prisons. The key lies in the community involvement, institutional support and the desire to offer spaces that promote improvement and integration, enriching the lives of its participants and strengthening social ties in the environment.
