Report Launch: Evaluation of the Well-being, Health and Social Benefits of the Defence Gardens Scheme Nature Based Therapy (NBT) for the Armed Forces Community
We’re proud to launch a new report from our work evaluating the impact of the Defence Gardens Scheme (DGS) 10-week programme.
With funding from the Armed Forces Community Fund Trust, over the last few years, Neighbourly Lab has worked alongside veterans, service leavers and their families. Through in-depth interviews, ethnographic site visits and longitudinal quantitative data collection, this report captures how nature-based therapy is transforming lives across the UK.
What we found
The DGS programme delivers significant and lasting improvements in mental health, wellbeing and social connection. Participants consistently described the programme as a lifeline, helping to reduce anxiety, rebuild confidence and restore a sense of purpose.
But impact doesn’t stop with the individual.
The benefits ripple outward. Strengthening relationships with family and friends, and supporting re-engagement with communities, training and employment.
Why it works
Our research identifies a powerful combination of ingredients behind this impact:
- People – A veteran-only environment builds trust, understanding and peer support
- Place – Safe, non-clinical outdoor spaces foster calm and belonging
- Purpose – Hands-on horticulture creates meaning, skills and confidence
- Practitioners – Skilled facilitators enable inclusive, adaptive support
Together, these elements create the conditions for transformation, what participants themselves describe as “invisible medication”.
A model that can scale
Importantly, the evaluation shows that this model is replicable and scalable. Delivered across four nations, the programme consistently generates positive outcomes while adapting to local context.
With the right long-term funding and strengthened referral pathways, nature-based therapy can play a vital role in the UK’s health and social care ecosystem—particularly for communities facing barriers to traditional support.
This report sets out clear recommendations to:
- Expand access to nature-based therapy across the UK
- Strengthen referral pathways and progression routes
- Build the evidence base for long-term investment
Because when the right environment, support and purpose come together, the impact is not just measurable—it’s life-changing.
Read the report
You can explore our full evaluation by reading the report below.