Community garden developed by refugees from Syria—A sanctuary and a space for learning and empowerment
Helle Storm, Nina Odgaard Nielsen, John Andersen, Jeannette Præstegaard, Hanne Kjærsgaard, Birthe Petersen, Anne Juul Sønderskov, Jan Rafn, Marianne Lindahl
Abstract
Many refugees from Syria resettled in Denmark experience poor health, lack of social support, and loneliness. The refugee families’ complex social situation led to the development of a social and health-promoting project comprising a series of interventions. Purpose: The present intervention aimed to improve the families’ collaboration and empowerment through jointly developing a community garden using participatory action research. Findings suggest that gardening and cooking together created a community, enhancing social capital, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging. The participants developed language skills and empowerment through mutual interaction, recognition, and collaboration with the project team and the garden's Danish neighbours. Collaboration between municipality and the educational institution was beneficial for the integration program, the refugees, and the students.