title: Therapeutic experiences of community gardens: putting flow in its place.
abstract: This paper develops the concept of therapeutic place experiences by considering the role of activity. Research of community gardening finds that particular tasks are therapeutic and exhibit the characteristics of flow, but those who lack influence over their community gardening are less likely to benefit from flow as their sense of control is reduced. The notion of emplaced flow is proposed to locate individual experiences amongst socio-spatial factors which limit self-determinacy and therefore affect wellbeing. Emplacing flow prompts critical reflection on who is excluded from therapeutic place experiences, and whether sites offering momentary escape have an enduring impact on wellbeing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Social Sciences University of the West of England Glenside Campus Blackberry Hill Stapleton Bristol BS16 1DD, UK. Electronic address: hannah.pitt@uwe.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pitt
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D051639:Gardening; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D006113:United Kingdom; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Community garden; Flow; Therapeutic place; UK; Wellbeing