NCBG is proud to announce our involvement with designing the therapeutic landscape and gardens for the Tiny Homes Village that were recently built on the Farm at Penny Lane’s (FPL) 40-acre property. Fifteen tiny homes were built over the course of a year and will provide permanent, affordable housing for individuals who experience severe and persistent mental illness. Homelessness exacerbates illness, so offering housing stability is one positive step towards security and connection to a community rich with holistic mental health resources.
The village landscape and gardens have been designed to promote outdoor engagement and the conservation of resources for native pollinators and wildlife. The central Neighborhood Garden provides a safe environment for residents to spend time alone outdoors or with friends, family, and neighbors. A mindfulness trail will snake through the surrounding forest and provide “mindfulness stops” that prompt hikers to slow down and check in with their minds and bodies. This trail will be open to the community as a whole as well as the residents of the Tiny Homes Village.
Just outside the hustle and bustle of Chapel Hill, the Farm at Penny Lane is transforming lives through the power of therapeutic horticulture. FPL is operated by UNC’s Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health and has partnered with NCBG and their team of horticultural therapists who have provided free nature-based mental health programming at the farm for the past 10 years. This program uses a holistic and sustainable approach to destigmatizing mental health care and enhances the quality of life of individuals who experience severe and persistent mental illness by offering opportunities to improve their physical, emotional, and social health through community engagement and skill building opportunities.
Here’s how this innovative program is making a difference:
🌱 Mental Health Benefits
Participants at the farm experience significant stress relief and mood enhancement through independent and facilitated engagement with nature. Beyond gardening, the farm offers free yoga, mindfulness sessions, and nutrition workshops, promoting a comprehensive approach to mental wellness.
💪 Physical Health Perks
Gardening at Penny Lane isn’t just good for the soul; it’s a great physical workout, too. Participants stay active through tasks like planting, weeding, and harvesting. Learning to grow their own food encourages healthier eating habits and greater food security, both of which have positive impacts on overall well-being.
🤝 Building Community
The farm is a vibrant social hub where individuals form meaningful connections and friendships, reducing feelings of isolation. It also welcomes volunteers from the broader community, fostering inclusion and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.
🌻 Broader Impact
The Farm at Penny Lane is breaking down mental health stereotypes and showcasing the valuable contributions of individuals who experience mental illness. Its holistic approach to wellness encourages the entire community to embrace healthier, more sustainable living. By offering alternative mental health interventions, the farm enhances the support options available in Chapel Hill.
More than just a farm, Penny Lane is a sanctuary for growth, healing, and community. If you or someone you know desires greater mental health and are interested in farming/gardening, you are eligible for participation in this free therapeutic horticulture program at FPL- no diagnosis required. Visit the FPL website to learn more about joining the TH program every Monday from 10am-12pm.
Discover more about how therapeutic horticulture programs nurture both plants and people through NCBG’s Therapeutic Horticulture program.