GRANTS IN ACTION: CMHA Growing Together
GRANTS IN ACTION: Growing Together - CMHA Community Gardening for Wellness
With the support of a 2025 Spring Community Grant, the Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce Mental Health and Addiction Services and its partner Sound Outdoors created the Growing Together – Community Gardening for Wellness project. The project helped create a welcoming and inclusive community gardening space where residents could connect with nature, learn new skills, and build meaningful relationships. Through improvements to the Fresh Roots Gardens, hands-on workshops, and community mentorship, the project supported mental well-being, food security, and social connection for people across Grey Bruce.
Funding supported repairs to aging raised garden beds, helping improve accessibility and usability for both new and returning renters. Beyond growing food, the gardens provided a space where individuals could connect with others, enjoy meaningful outdoor activity, and experience the benefits of spending time in nature. The project served a diverse range of community members, including those living with mental health challenges, low-income families, seniors, youth, CMHA participants, and members of the general public. Approximately 50 garden beds were rented throughout the season, while many more community members enjoyed the free outdoor spaces, food forest, and labyrinth.
The impact of the program was reflected in the experiences of participants, as shared by Amanda:“Getting your hands dirty and caring for a rental bed has been so rewarding the past couple of years. I don’t have the right space at home to grow vegetables, and the garden bed rental program makes it possible for me to do an activity I love while reaping mental and physical health benefits.”
Growing Together demonstrated how community gardening can support both individual well-being and community resilience. By creating opportunities for people to grow food, learn new skills, and connect with one another, the project helped foster a stronger sense of belonging while promoting food security and mental wellness across Grey Bruce. The Fresh Roots Gardens will continue to serve the community through ongoing partnerships, community support, and social enterprise initiatives that help sustain this valuable resource for years to come. Community Foundation Grey Bruce is proud to support initiatives that promote well-being, belonging, and meaningful community connections across Grey Bruce.
