Eating disorder patients share recovery garden’s harvest with Nambour blood donors
Wandi Nerida Nurse Unit Manager Hannah Beighton and Director of Wandi Nerida Danielle Dougherty said the week highlighted the value of gardening and giving during recovery.
Blood donors visiting the Nambour Donor Centre during Blood Donation Thank You Week received more than the usual cuppa and biscuit, with locally grown flowers, fruit and vegetables offered as a gesture of gratitude.
The produce was cultivated at Wandi Nerida, an eating disorder residential treatment facility in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, by staff working alongside people undergoing intensive treatment.
For participants, gardening can provide a practical and therapeutic way to reconnect with food, nature and the processes involved in growing and preparing fresh produce.
The harvest was shared with donors from June 9 to 13 as Wandi Nerida recognised the contribution blood donors make to healthcare across the community.
The cause has particular meaning for the Wandi Nerida community because blood transfusions can be lifesaving for people experiencing eating disorders. Several of the facility’s nursing staff are also regular blood donors.
The initiative brought together two forms of community care: people giving blood to help strangers in need, and people in recovery sharing something they have nurtured during treatment.
Wandi Nerida director Danielle Dougherty said the week provided an opportunity for the facility to thank donors while highlighting the value of gardening and giving during recovery.
“Eating disorders are complex and can be influenced by a mix of physical, emotional, and social factors,” she said.
“Because of this, care and treatment needs to look at the whole person.
“At Wandi, we provide a range of evidence-based psychological treatments that are tailored to each person’s individual needs. Being located in the beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterland provides our participants with access to beautiful lush gardens and nature-based therapies that play an important role in helping people to heal, feel safe and reconnect with themselves and others.
“We recognise that the impact of eating disorders is felt not just by the individual, but by their families, friends and the communities that support them. It’s so important for us to give back and say thanks to the Sunshine Coast community who help so many experiencing life-threatening health conditions.”
The donated flowers and produce came from Wandi Nerida’s gardens, where participants and staff maintain the grounds and grow seasonal fruit and vegetables.
The activity can help people rebuild confidence around food by involving them in growing, harvesting and preparation in a supportive environment.
Blood Donation Thank You Week recognises donors whose contributions help patients undergoing treatment for illness, injury and other serious health conditions.
Wandi Nerida’s flowers, fruit and vegetables were made available to donors at the Nambour Donor Centre during Blood Donation Thank You Week from June 9 to 13. For support call the Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or visit www.butterfly.org.au to chat online or email, 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEST).