Flowers connect people with nature through their natural beauty, delightful scents, and inspiring colors. Science has shown that a flower bouquet in vibrant colors can improve emotional well-being during challenging times. As gardeners, we all know how happy and positive we feel in the presence of flowers - the dazzling colors and textures, the refreshing scents, can be instantly restorative. Of our five senses, “smell” is the strongest in evoking positive memories of the past, which can help displace the hurdles of today. Everyone has a positive memory associated with flowers.
Random acts of kindness can instantly lift anyone’s spirits by letting them know that someone cares about them; they have a buddy who wants to make them happy, even a perfect stranger - hence the name Flower Buds. The social connections generated by this simple gesture have been shown to be a major contributor to mental health, including emotional well-being, self-care and healing.
The Flower Bud program will connect and benefit both the givers and receivers!
The Givers: Each week Old Rockport Farm residents, Flower Bud assistants and volunteers will assemble simple posies from flowers grown onsite, to be delivered to unsuspecting recipients, many of whom are also suffering from isolation and loneliness. Brain-injury survivors will help grow, harvest, and prepare posies from their own farm to benefit their local community, providing pre-vocational therapy and a sense of productivity, contribution, and purpose, in an otherwise unfortunate life.
The Receivers: Each week 15 or more posies will be created and prepared for delivery on a regular schedule (TBD). Two rotating institutions (long-term care facilities, hospitals, group homes, elder housing, etc.) will be identified each week to receive five bouquets to be distributed at their discretion to those who need it most in that facility. The remaining five or more bouquets will go to specific individuals in the community.
For more information, or to nominate a recipient, please contact Leslie Doig, Program Manager at 617-620-9248 or email FlowerBudsRockport@gmail.com.