Behind the Gardens

Interview with Anna Campbell, a local community leader and activist, and Dr. Natasha Donnelly, an international community leader and activist.

Q. Reflecting back, what were the moments in your life that led to your desire to be involved in projects that involve social change, focused on at-risk groups?

A. “Many factors have influenced me and inspired me to take action in this area. Family, friends, love, life in general, but also learning to live with my emotions and experiencing loss in both my working life and my personal life. These personal experiences, as well as witnessing others going through tough situations, have shaped my life and the paths that I have taken. I never want anyone to feel alone or not valued, and I believe that everybody can and should have a way of feeling connected to others– it might just still need to be discovered.”

Natasha wears a bracelet, made by a young woman she met in Africa who was living with AIDS, and this is one source of motivation for her. The woman made jewelry to sell at the shop for an orphanage, which she knew would eventually adopt her child when she died. It has the words “hope, healing, compassion” hand engraved on it. These words and the story behind them inspire and motivate Natasha in her work and in life.

https://www.hillaids.org.za/

Natasha’s earliest job was at a veterinary practice in England. She describes how, as a quiet individual, this experience allowed her to care for the animals, but also develop a healthy topic of conversation. “I could talk to people about an injured seagull, nervous dog, rescued monkey, or an adventure at the local zoo. Being able to talk and share experiences with others made me feel both valued and valuable, and I began to realize just how important this is for all of us.”  She later went on to explore theatre studies; including script writing, set design, and stage directing. Natasha reflected that this was when she discovered what she refers to as the “art of successful collaboration.” She explains this, “If people feel valued and connected, they become engaged and inspired, having pride in the project they are working on together.”

The next phase was training as an RN and RM at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. On qualifying, Natasha worked as a professional nurse in England, Africa, the USA, and in many settings including emergency rooms, delivering babies, working with AIDS patients, and many years in mental health settings.

Another major influence at this time was learning and exploring the ways that introducing people to a passion and finding a personal interest could have a big impact in recovery and social acceptance. Natasha encouraged people to reflect on what their true interests were and met creative individuals, who went on to be artists and poets and who have encouraged her on her own journey.  “It really is all about working together and sharing ideas. Only when we truly collaborate can we make significant and positive social changes together.”

Inspired to learn more about social life, human interaction and social stigma Natasha went on to become a PhD Sociologist and specializing in Suicide Prevention.  “We are always learning and I am proud to still be continuing on my academic journey as a student on the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. ”

Q. How did the therapeutic and sensory gardens come about?

A. In 2000 Natasha was invited to be Dr. Gill Kester’s Research Assistant for the Universities UK first student suicide project. This position forever changed Natasha’s life. “I realized we need to understand the stories from the perspective of those who live with suicidal thoughts.”

Click to access uuk_scop_report__reducing_risk_of_student_suicide.pdf

Several years later Mind the Mental Health Charity awarded a Mind Millennium Fellowship for her suicide prevention work. This led to two further Social Entrepreneur awards and a large Department of Health Grant which allowed Natasha to found the UK’s first student mental charity Students in Mind.  To establish this charity “I organised a collaboration between Head’s of University Counseling Services, Heads of Student Services,  Nick Berg the Director of the University of London Student Union Building, The Samaritan’s, Mind, Young Minds, James McAteer of International Sanity Fair, Tony Barker organizer of the Isle of Wight Music Festival, Ethical Business expert Nicky Amos, artists’ included Gary Molloy,  Sarah Boris, Bridget Croucher and Jude William’s, Social Entrepreneur’s Sophie Allchin and Emma Pickering and the Mayor of London’s office. Importantly this committee included student representatives who lived with mental health issues.” This team worked  to evaluate a new stepping stone service for referrals and social connections to area’s of interest (including volunteering) whilst waiting for an appointment. “This time was so exciting we even won a BAFTA for a community film made by the students! We felt that together we were working towards de-stigmatizing mental health issues.”

The charity focused on service referrals, resilience strategies, advocacy and creating sensory environments. “This was an exciting time we created the first Sensory Lounge for students in London with designers from the Royal College of Art.” During this time Natasha began her research into both indoor and outdoor therapeutic spaces designed for recovery, vocation and social change.

This phase included becoming an adviser for the first Suicide Prevention Strategy for England; a writer for the Mayor of London’s student magazine and a media adviser on suicide issues. Alongside the research, Natasha was a Senior University Lecturer developing curriculum on health, wellness and issues in mental health. “Working with students and for students was a wonderful time.”

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2002/sep/10/highereducation.students

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2001/may/08/students.highereducation

See page 30 onwards in article below:

Click to access Agenda-81-1.pdf

Read part 2

Interview between Anna Campbell, a local community leader and activist, and Dr. Natasha Donnelly, an international community leader and activist, continues.

In 2006 Natasha moved with her family to the USA and continued her academic studies with a full European Social Research Committee Scholarship to complete a PhD in Suicide Prevention. This study was a cross-cultural narrative analysis 361 of stories written by suicide attempters in the USA and in England. “I was fortunate to have an outstanding first supervisor Professor Tony Walter and incredible advisors including Professor Mike Bury, Professor Christie Davies, Professor Dennis Marsden and Dr. Jean Duncombe. ”

“I had lost friends and a family member to suicide and I wanted to increase my understanding of the complex issues surrounding suicide and how to  develop, new person- centered, relevant strategies.”

Natasha was writing, speaking at conferences, developing  policy, advising on State committees and running workshops. “These collaborations and opportunities were wonderful but I gained the most insight and knowledge from working directly with young patients in psychiatric settings in NC and England.”

Psychologists Dr. Ray Newnam, Carol Williams encouraged Natasha to continue to develop her concept of  “Sensory Gardens” designed for therapeutic use in psychiatric settings.  Dr. Newnam introduced Natasha to Jane Miller, Public Health Program Consultant, Division of Public Health, Injury and Violence Prevention Branch who became a huge supporter of the concept and introduced  Natasha to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention where she accepted a position on the Board.

For the last two years Natasha worked as the Assistant Director of Health Services for NC State’s Juvenile Justice.  This direct experience led Natasha to action her research and further develop the concept of “Sensory Spaces” both indoor and outdoor for those who were living in locked facilities. An exciting time was to follow as the concept of these gardens became a reality…. read on!!

Continue reading …

Interview between Anna Campbell, a local community leader and activist, and Dr. Natasha Donnelly, an international community leader and activist, continues.

Whilst working in psychiatric settings Natasha was aware that initiating communication about sensitive topics could be difficult. “I  began to use color coded floor markings with young people so that they could stand on a color to represent how they were feeling without having to verbalize this to staff. Alternative ways to communicate,  walking outside, listening to music and other strategies were beneficial to distressed young people. I realized that it was essential to create opportunities to allow for healthy conversations. Discussing garden life would be a way for staff, students/ patients to share stories about a shared area of interest.”

Natasha continued researching therapeutic and sensory gardens and contacted a  design student Ben Markoch at NC State with her suggestions of developing these strategies into a garden design. “I wanted to be able to visualize and share the concept of a pacing pathway, colored mood space’s, area’s to allow for creativity including art walls, a water feature, poetry space, group space and sensory plants. Ben’s wonderful drawing gave me a starting place to share the concept.”

Reflections on what she had observed in actual settings continued to grow the ideas to incorporate into the design. For example, one young adult had been washing his hands for long periods of time and visited the water fountain regularly. “He was staring at the water and I  spoke to him about this. He described that he liked the look of the water because it was sparkly and beautiful, a rare thing in a grey building.”

Future students and staff at Juvenile Justice were also interested in water. Water and water representation became therapeutically significant for the garden design. Natasha later developed this into an area on the pathway called the “Luke’s Leap of Faith” which involved stepping stones over a river effect. A student or member of staff could decide whether they were ready to take a “leap of faith” as they walk around the pathway. “The concept is that this is the peoples garden designed around idea’s that are shared and impactful to the population.” (Please note the story behind “Luke’s Leap of Faith” will be shared in a later interview with Betsy Rhodes, Area Director of the NC Chapter of the AFSP).

Again working together was leading to  an exciting positive social change. Read on to find out how further collaborations led to these gardens becoming to be a reality….

https://www.ncdps.gov/blog/2018/01/08/sensory-gardens-promote-healing-juvenile-facilities

Continue Reading…

Interview between Anna Campbell, a local community leader and activist, and Dr. Natasha Donnelly, an international community leader and activist, continues.

The process of research and design idea’s continued and then in 2017 Natasha contacted the Departmental Head of Horticulture at NC State University. Natasha was now working a Juvenile Justice and thought it would be an amazing opportunity for Juvenile Justice students and staff to work with NC State faculty and students to assist with implementing the design and build of the gardens.  This led to Natasha meeting Anne Spafford a faculty member and Horticultural design expert at NC State University.

This was a wonderful connection that led to growing the initiative and involving both Juvenile Justice students and NC State Students to grow the initial ideas into a superbly designed fully interactive outdoor space. “This is now truly a unique garden developed to encourage personal growth, recovery, vocational skills and creativity.” NC State students presented their designs to leaders of the Department of Public Safety, representatives for other governmental agencies including Jane Miller, Public Health Consultant (now on the garden planning committee), non-profits and importantly it was broadcast live via webcam so that the students in the JJ centers could see the designs and their influence on the process. “Juvenile Justice students could be heard cheering when they saw their idea’s being shared by the NC State Students.”

The design process led to statewide interest and media excitement culminating in a garden fundraiser last year called “Art Expression in the Garden” at the beautiful JC Raulston Aboretum.  Performers including 2 of the Carolina Ballet’s  Principal dancers, ballet dancers from Sarasota Ballet, Washington Ballet and International Ballet Academy, NC Opera Singer Lora Fabio, Artist Sonja Simone, Project runway designer Justin LeBlanc led fashion show with Art to Wear, NYC and local models, Sonny4Miles Band, Authoring Action and many other amazing artists and community activists including Imurj , Jane and Mark Miller, Anna Campbell , MaryAnn Tormey, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, NAMI, Baptist Home for Children, Juvenile Justice staff, NC State students and faculty, First Lady of NC, NPR and local news all joined forces to promote the Juvenile Justice Gardens.

http://www.wunc.org/post/therapeutic-gardens-coming-soon-some-juvenile-detention-centers

https://therapeuticgardensncjj.org/

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Interview between Anna Campbell, a local community leader and activist, and Dr. Natasha Donnelly, an international community leader and activist, continues.

On hearing the interview on NPR Radio and seeing the CBS news coverage about the fundraiser Ed Schultheis, landscape expert and owner of ThruPutNow,  came forward and joined Anne and Natasha to continue moving this exciting project forward.  The process now has culminated into a statewide collaboration of ideas including the Juvenile Justice students, Juvenile Justice staff, the students Natasha worked with in Psychiatric settings, mental health charities, State organisations and the amazing new designs produced by Anne Spafford and the NC State students.

The collaborative designs incorporate the early concepts that Natasha had researched and developed. This includes the pacing pathways, colored mood expression spaces,  as well as amazing plants, yoga and counseling areas, a new basketball court, art walls and much more. Natasha is developing a handbook to introduce each section of the garden and how it can be used therapeutically and evaluation tools to monitor outcomes.  “I am particularly excited that this will introduce a shared interest for both students and staff in the Juvenile Justice settings and initiate ongoing healthy conversations.  Good communication is key to recovery.”

The first garden will be opened this spring.  Natasha and Anne Spafford hope that these gardens will become valuable resources across the States and internationally.

Alongside the garden development Natasha is establishing a mental health consultancy. She is also completing her book on strategies to assist with suicide prevention. The book is based on from the knowledge gained from analyzing 361 stories written by those who have attempted suicide in the US and England.  “Now is a great time to finally finish this book because I have been able to integrate examples of good practice and new developments into each chapter. Larry Bernstein organizer of the “Out of Darkness” walks in Raleigh continues to inspire and encourage me with this project!”

“All of my work is focused on collaboration with those living with mental health issues and a network of professionals from various backgrounds to design sensory spaces and innovative strategies that are valued and engaging to all. I like to be involved with local community projects that encourage people to join together and find a new sense of belonging and achievement.”

“A inspirational highlight of this process was when a Juvenile Justice student who met the NC State Students expressed that this garden would allow him to leave a legacy of hope for others.” This is exactly what motivates Natasha to continue on….