Plant Power at Watershed Bristol

The film Plant Power documents the journey of an individual during and after the COVID lockdown, showing how working with plants became a way of maintaining mental balance and purpose during a period of isolation. It follows how this personal practice gradually expanded beyond the individual, moving into schools and the wider local community as a shared activity rooted in care, growth, and connection.

The film captures a shift in perspective. What begins as a private response to lockdown becomes a catalyst for deeper engagement with community life. By listening to people’s real needs and responding through practical, nature-based action, a wide range of new ideas and initiatives emerge. These ideas are presented not as fixed solutions, but as invitations—examples of how others might also contribute meaningfully within their own communities.

A central theme running through the film and the discussion that follows is the ancient Indian concept of seva: service offered freely, without expectation of personal gain. The work shown in Plant Power illustrates how service can be practical, local, and grounded in everyday actions, rather than abstract ideals.

One of the film’s clearest impacts lies in demonstrating the power of sharing lived experience. By showing something real and personal, the film reveals how creative action can resonate with others, inspire participation, and increase a sense of collective effectiveness. This recognition—that small, authentic actions can lead to wider social impact—forms a key reflection emerging from the film.