Nature-based children’s charity Dandelion Time has received funding which will be invested in garden and kitchen equipment and supplies to enable the charity to grow, prepare, and cook food at the charity’s three sites across Kent.
Graham Carpenter, CEO of Dandelion Time, says “Our Family therapeutic Programme connects traumatised children through active engagement in nature, animal care, cooking and craftwork, improving their mental health and wellbeing, whilst fostering an understanding and appreciation of the natural world. The funding will be invaluable in helping us deliver this key element of our therapeutic activities. We are hugely grateful for this support”.
Growing, harvesting, preparing, and cooking organic food with children and their families provides a positive backdrop to explore their difficulties, and to improve both their mental and physical health. Dandelion Time’s therapeutic approach also empowers families to develop their understanding of nutrition and healthy eating. Families engage in growing food and cooking using produce from the land before coming together around the table to enjoy a meal and share memories.
As a result of attending Dandelion Time in 2022-23, 88% of children had improved emotional wellbeing, 88% had increased self-esteem and 78% had presented an improvement in behaviour.
To find out more about the charity, please visit Dandelion Time’s website.
