Horticulture

 The Social and Therapeutic Horticulture Department

The STH Department at Milford Care Centre has a role both in patient facing work through it Older Adult Wellness and Palliative programmes but also a large role in developing our gardens and ground with our Corporate and Community garden volunteers making them truly Therapeutic in nature after all for many of our patients and their families  this is where they make some of their last memories so the environment is incredibly important. The department also has the management of over 200 houseplant both in public spaces and in private rooms.

What is Social and Therapeutic Horticulture?

Social and Therapeutic Horticulture is a goal based therapeutic process that, uses the garden environment, horticulture, and nature craft activities to enhance your Quality of Life and Wellbeing, allowing you to connect with nature, the community and life.  Attendance can be either individually or within a group setting. You will have access to the gardens all-year-round where you can enjoy the peace and tranquillity they provide, or you can take an active role in our seasonally based garden programmes.

How can Social and Therapeutic Horticulture help me?

Interactions with the garden environment and actively growing and nurturing plants  provide opportunities for reflection, deepening our understanding of the life cycle and teaching us that every living being is going through growth, death, and rebirth. As we cultivate the plants, they cultivate a deeper connection within us to the seasons of our lives.

In Palliative Care Social and Therapeutic Horticulture helps restore our sense of control and contributes to improved quality of life and wellbeing. With a focus on relieving stress, anxiety, and isolation whilst rebuilding self-esteem, and increasing confidence and independence.

Our Older Person Wellness programmes focus on activities that maximize independence and in turn life satisfaction, promoting self-care and productive living. Gardening within a group or as an individual gives you enjoyable physical activity, social interaction and positively affects your social and mental wellbeing.

Taking Part:

We would love you to come and visit us and take part in one of our Social and Therapeutic Horticulture Programmes , ask any member of the staff to see the Social and Therapeutic Horticulturalist for more details and how you can take part.