The University of Kent is expanding a special garden that supports student mental health. Located on the Canterbury campus, the Community Oasis Garden gives students a quiet place to relax, connect with others, and take part in nature-based activities. The garden is now growing into a larger space after rising demand.
This unique space is part of the university’s plan to care for student well-being. It lets students take a break from screen time and enjoy working outdoors. They can plant flowers, build bug hotels, create small ponds, and help nature thrive. These small tasks are designed to lower stress and bring calm. Students say it offers more than a place to grow plants—it offers peace of mind.
Students can join the program through university support services or East Kent Mind, a mental health charity that helps run the garden. The goal is to help students feel better by being active, being outside, and being part of a group. Gardening may seem simple, but for many students, it becomes a powerful way to cope with stress.
PhD student Lewis Sawyer joined the project during his undergraduate years after being referred by the university’s support service. He said the garden helped him step away from the pressure of academic life. He explained that life as a student can often mean long hours indoors at a desk, wearing headphones and staring at a screen. Spending time in the garden, he said, gave him the space to breathe and reconnect with nature.
This year, the garden team has cleared overgrown land and created new planting beds. They’ve also boosted biodiversity by making ponds and homes for insects. Local volunteers also join the project, working alongside students to grow vegetables and flowers. These shared tasks help build a sense of teamwork and community. Because of its success, the garden is now set to grow further. A new building and extra green space will be added to meet the rising number of students who want to join.
Garden ambassador Elinor Casey said the garden is a calm and welcoming place. She said students are always working to improve and grow the space. For many, it is a simple way to take a pause during stressful times. She called it “a place for well-being” that makes university life easier to manage.
This expansion comes at a time when mental health in higher education is under close review. The Department for Education recently asked universities to review how easy it is for students to get support. The call came after a rise in concern over student mental health and reports of student suicide. Campaigners have also urged universities to take on a legal duty of care.
In response, the University of Kent is investing in new ways to help students cope. The school already has mental health advisers and trained counsellors. Now, it is also adding outdoor activities to give students more ways to feel better. Deputy director of student services Lee Fellowes said many young people today are struggling, and added that health services are often stretched. He said it is vital for the university to step up and offer help. That includes offering practical support in natural settings.
Masters student Gabriel Scannicchio joined the garden after moving from Italy to study in the UK. He said the project helped him feel part of a group. By spending time with volunteers, he gained comfort and confidence in social settings. For Gabriel and many others, the garden is more than a patch of land. It is a source of calm, care, and connection.
As the Community Oasis Garden expands, the University of Kent shows a strong commitment to gardening mental health support. With more students seeking simple ways to feel better, the garden continues to grow as a place of healing, nature, and community.
