The growing season reminds us there is hope for the future
Who we are
A walled garden and vineyard where both people and nature can thrive
Our mission
Recovery looks different for everyone, but with time and space, structure and routine, community and compassion we can find hope in recovery.
Everyone, whatever their mental health, should be supported to live a full and valued life.
Our history
For nearly 30 years Bridewell has created a sanctuary for recovery within the walled garden.
Taking on the derelict walled garden in 1994, planting out a new vineyard in 2000, all areas of the gardens have been developed and maintained by people referred to Bridewell's recovery service.
What we value
The garden offers a safe and nurturing environment. Supported by skilled staff and volunteers, sharing time with peers, in the calm setting of the walled garden.
Hope
Community
Inclusive, working together with compassion
Routine
We know the importance of the structured working day
Time
Progress takes time and space
Meet the team
A small staff team deliver Bridewell's recovery service supported by our administrative team based at the Walled Garden. Described by someone who knows us well:
Madi ffrench
Recovery Service Manager
Holding the needs of the garden and those who work here alongside each other, spinning plates and seeing the detail. Drive and depth of expertise in mental health and horticulture.
Julie Stantiford
Deputy Recovery Service Manager
Calm, relaxed, ability to make the day look so easy. Including everyone, with compassion, creativity, and coffee.
Leonora Carrasco-Brown
Social & Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner
Horticultural expertise, creativity and kindness, bringing groups together, baking skills and humour.
Pauline Stowell
Social & Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner
Calm, gentle, thoughtful and reflective. Expertise in social and therapeutic horticulture and considered reflective ability to craft supportive conversations.
Katie Underwood
Social & Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner
Competent, experienced, seeing and celebrating the strengths each person brings. Brisk walking, garden produce gatherer, always ready with a warm smile.
Tudor Stone
Horticultural Technican
Diligent, dedicated, expert, with a deep passion for the garden and natural environment, gentle, modest and welcoming.
Claire Bellamy
Administrator
Organises and manages all Bridewell's admin to keep everyone that comes to the gardens on track.
Rachel Green
Fundraising and Communications Officer
Enthusiasm and effusive positivity, film and literary knowledge and a dress sense to cheer up the greyest days.
Ruth Madder
Director
Calm, gentle, composure, ability to organise and make sense of everything.
Meet our volunteers
An amazing team of volunteers give their time to support Bridewell's community. Read more about their experiences of volunteering.
Meet Maria
Meet Maria - a volunteer at Bridewell. Read on to find out what led Maria to volunteer...
Read more
Meet Caroline
As a weekday volunteer, Caroline talks about what she finds most rewarding in the role...
Read more
Meet the trustees
Bridewell's Board of Trustees volunteer their time to provide governance and support. Bringing a wealth of skills and lived experiences and with backgrounds in business, the charitable sector and health, our Trustees represent the community we support.
Stephen Marshall
Chair
A career in the university sector with expertise in governance and organisational administration. Stephen has held a number of trustee roles at educational and charity organisations. With an interest in lifelong education and learning and a strong belief in the benefits of social and therapeutic horticulture.
Sandra Clarke
Treasurer
Enjoys the peace and tranquility of Bridewell whilst being in awe of the work done by gardeners, employees and volunteers alike. A wealth of financial experience working as Financial Controller in a multi-national group.
Richard Khosla-Stevens
Trustee
Dedicated dog owner and novice pig keeper with a career in senior management in the publishing industry. Richard has served as Bridewell's Treasurer and now Trustee.
Heidi Black
Trustee
Heidi brings expertise in HR and has a great respect and admiration for Bridewell's work. Heidi loves spending time in nature, even better if there's a chance for open water swimming.
Rob Chaplin
Trustee
Dr Rob Chaplin is a retired Consultant in General Adult Psychiatry. He has worked as the Clinical Lead for Accreditation at the College Centre for Quality Improvement (CCQI) at the Royal College of Psychiatrists and previously as a Research Fellow at the CCQI.
Danie Woodbridge
Trustee
Danie's background spans the Creative Industry, Local Government, Third Sector, Education, and Publishing. Danie openly talks about her lived experience of living with invisible disabilities, growing up in poverty, being a young carer, and later a parent/carer to family members with disabilities. Danie is passionate about inclusion and equity of access to education and work, so everyone can feel safe, valued, and find meaning for their lives.
Andy Vardé
Trustee
With a background in engineering, over twenty five years in senior management and a board role in the Medical Devices industry, Andy brings a wealth of business, strategy, and governance acumen to the role.
Patrons and Ambassadors
Amanda Ponsonby
Patron
There is nothing better than having your hands in the dirt. I'm a passionate gardener and enjoy sharing our garden with trainees and anyone who wants to visit.
Bridewell garden and all who tend it are a constant inspiration to me. It is true "Life begins the day you start a garden".
John Adams
Ambassador (former Chair of Trustees)
I love to tell people about Bridewell. This small patch of West Oxfordshire just keeps on giving. Inspiration, calm, healing, beauty, inclusion and friendship are there in abundance. I always find it a good place to be and find myself sharing its story at every opportunity.
Learn more about Bridewell
Read the experiences of others and find out more about what happens in the gardens.
