Written Articles

Giving strangers flowers could make you happier.

Julie Cross, Manly Daily - August 10, 2018 11:38am

LEARNING to make beautiful bouquets and then handing them out to strangers in the street is a new idea from one woman to help combat mental health issues.

Monique Wardley, 30, of Bilgola Plateau, said earlier this year she was struggling with her own mental health.

In response she came up with the idea of The Bloom Movement, where people learn to make bouquets with recycled flowers left over from weddings — before giving them to strangers.

The sessions will be held once a month, with the first on August 12.

“Life is so busy and I think spending the day learning how to arrange flowers is a way of taking time out,” Ms Wardley said.

The event, at Mona Vale SLSC, will include tea and a grazing lunch, allowing people a chance to chat, plus a gift bag of wellness goodies, including vouchers for yoga.

“The day is about nature and wellness and at the end each person will have about 10 bouquets to give away to strangers, so they get to pass on something to someone, too,” Ms Wardley said.

She said The Bloom Movement was a social enterprise with 100 per cent of profits going to mental health and wellness initiatives.

To find out more go to hello@thebloommovement.com.au

Blooms spark joy

October 9, 2019

Monique Wardley, founder of The Bloom Movement.

There’s a new way to look after your mental health, take time out and get back to nature – it’s called The Bloom Movement.  

The Bloom Movement is a social enterprise that has been spreading joy and happiness in the community by creating beautiful flower bouquets and then handing them out to strangers to raise awareness about mental health. 

Founder and company director of The Bloom Movement, Monique Wardley, explains that the idea came to her when she was going through a difficult time with her own mental health.  

“I thought that a random act of kindness like giving a stranger on the street a bouquet of flowers would make me happy and make someone else happy too, while opening up the conversation about mental health,” says Monique.  

“Initially people were shocked and asked me: why? When I explained what I had been going through, many people went on to tell me about their own struggles with mental health which either they themselves or someone they knew had experienced,” she went on to say. 

Monique Wardley combines flowers and wellness into a unique blend.

Previously a wedding and event stylist, Monique also runs floristry workshops as part of The Bloom Movement. It was on a regular trip to the Sydney Markets where she noticed that many boxes of blooms were being thrown out after market day, even though they were still fresh, and potentially could be used for community workshops.  

Monique set about creating a variety of new wellness workshops and professional development sessions where people could come together to learn the art of floral arranging and take some time out for themselves.  

Recently at Summer Hill House, The Bloom Movement ran one of their inclusive workshops as part of the centre’s ongoing events calendar. The main purpose of these workshops is to provide an opportunity for people of all abilities to experience the healing properties of flowers, be immersed in nature and to support personal wellbeing.  

“I wanted to create a space at Summer Hill House to evoke a feeling that was calming and nurturing, a place of happiness,” recalls Monique. “Some participants could not express their joy in words but I could tell it was a very special experience for them.” 

The Bloom Movement recently visited Summer Hill House.

During the sensory workshop, participants had the chance to select flowers for their own bouquets and make a handmade card for Mother’s Day, as well as experience an essential oil hand massage, the aromas of a lavender and rose-scented bowl, and a shower of petals.  

“Everyone really enjoyed the floral workshop by The Bloom Movement,” says Summer Hill House Manager, Naomi Fraser. “It was something that we haven’t done before and participants loved the opportunity to create something special for their mum to give them on the day.” 

The Bloom Movement is helping to create more open conversations in the community around mental health, breaking down the stigma associated with mental illness and helping people to reconnect and take time for themselves. It’s also a wonderful way to add a little spark of joy to those around you.   

For more information about The Bloom Movement, visit thebloommovement.com.au