‘A Green Thought In A Green Shade’, online symposium (9th September 2023) – YouTube
We are pleased to be able to share a recording of our final Elsewhere symposium, with Sergio Heredero and Billy Styles.
Our exhibition ‘Elsewhere’ interrogated the idea of public space – how we can use creativity to move beyond closed and restricted spaces to spaces of radical openness. On the final day of this exhibition, Bethlem Gallery hosted an online discussion, live from the Bethlem Royal Hospital Therapy Garden, with Sergio Heredero and Billy Styles.
Sergio Heredero is a Horticultural Therapist at the hospital. Through a Maudsley Charity Grant, the Occupational Therapy (OT) Garden at Bethlem Royal Hospital is able to provide gardening sessions to patients, giving them time off the ward in a supported environment. The project enables patients and staff to connect with nature, grow vegetables and engage with wildlife. There has been an OT garden on site in some form since the hospital moved here in 1930.
Billy Styles is a Nature Recovery Ranger at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre. Before joining the team at the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, Billy managed the food growing and green space community engagement program at Stepney City Farm, designing the space around permaculture principles, including increasing biodiversity and community interaction, structured around economically viable solutions. Billy’s background is in Art (BA) Sports Science (BSc) and Sustainable Urbanism (MA) and he has lived in Spain, Germany, Japan and China. Whether it be science or art focused, throughout his journey he has always been inspired and fascinated by nature and is constantly learning more about the interconnectivity of this beautiful world.
This event ran alongside Open House 2023 tours delivered as part of This is Croydon, London Borough of Culture, with the support of the Mayor of London and Croydon Council.