Bloom & The Gang: Rochelle’s Story
Reaching out and joining a Bloom session can feel difficult. In this blog, Rochelle talks about making that first step and her continuing journey with us.
I first heard about Bloom through my university’s wellbeing team. From my initial emails with Bloom through to phone calls before I attended, I felt at ease and prepared. Having information clearly shared with me beforehand, such as photos and instructions on how to attend the sessions, made such a difference.
Photo by Alina Trifan
Getting started
Our sessions start with a cup of tea and a catch up. I really like this time to chat, get to know each other a little better, and settle in without any pressure. Something so simple as a cup of tea can be so grounding, and it really sets us up to engage with the activities of the day.
Each session we’re given the opportunity to choose what we want to do and what we don’t feel up to. I can feel quite anxious and saying no to requests can be challenging, so I really appreciate the autonomy I have in those moments. There’s never any pressure to do certain things but I also have the freedom to try different activities.
In the garden
Bloom has really supported me in connecting with my mental health. Being out in nature and seeing things quite literally bloom is so rewarding. I get such a sense of achievement from contributing. I can’t say I enjoy the bugs too much, but that’s part of the deal!
Bloom’s impact on how I spend my time has also seeped into my personal life, in a positive way. Seeing the lifecycle of the gardens and different stages of the plants has inspired me to want to garden outside of the sessions too.
Putting people first
The Bloom environment really is a safe space. Kendall and the team have created a warm and welcoming environment, they encourage people to engage through questions, and support us whilst respecting that we’re individuals. Even on trips out together, the team is mindful of additional needs or just the different ways we all approach things.
Photo by Alina Trifan
Taking the next steps
I would 100% recommend Bloom to anyone and everyone interested. Reaching out and attending your first session can be the most daunting step. But they’ve thought of so much to ease you in - they’ve created a welcoming environment with people at the heart.
I’m really looking forward to future groups and hopefully becoming a volunteer myself.