I am Alison Marsden, founder of Gardening by Design and a believer that all gardening should be a source of joy and fulfilment.  After providing gardening advice face to face and online for over 15 years, I specialise in the power of gardening to support our mental wellbeing and play a part in the personal recovery of mental health service users.

Since becoming a trained social and therapeutic horticulture (STH) practitioner in 2016 I have run sessions for groups including care home residents, mental health service users and people living with long term or life-limiting conditions and acquired brain injury.    I provide consultancy and workshops for organisations wishing to develop their own therapeutic gardening programme and have worked with a Mental Health Trust on sensory garden planting plans for 2 of their in-patient units.

Much of my focus is now on raising awareness and developing the STH profession. In 2025 I became a trustee of the charity Gardening 4 Health whose aim is to provide support and a network for Therapeutic Gardens across the country.  I am currently a committee member in the Chartered Institute of Horticulture STH Special Interest Group promoting knowledge sharing and am one of a band of volunteers working with Trellis and Thrive to establish a UK professional association for STH practitioners.

Whether on the horticultural or mental health side success comes from blending an understanding of the science with practical experience and focus on the needs of the individual.  I always (try to) explain the Why as well as the How of any activity I recommend.

“Alison’s sessions with our residents are always valued by those that attend them. Her knowledge of gardening is evident and really bring her sessions to life. She is calm and patient; waiting for the residents to do things themselves rather than doing it for them but giving them the guidance, they need.”  Residential Home for those living with dementia.