Horticulture

Our Department offers social and therapeutic gardening programmes.

What is Social and Therapeutic Horticulture?

A process that, through gardening and spending time in a garden, allows you to connect with nature, the community and life.  Attendance can be either individually or with a group. You will have access to the garden and glasshouse on site, and can take an active role in gardening or just enjoy the peace and tranquillity that the garden gives. We invite you to partake in this therapy, which at a slower pace and in a natural environment, promotes restoration and food for the soul.

How can Horticulture Therapy help me?

• 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 Horticulture Therapy helps restore our sense of control and contribute to improved quality of life. With focus on relieving stress, anxiety, and isolation whilst rebuilding self-esteem, and increasing independence.
• With the older person we 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 our garden, ask any member of the staff to see the Horticulturalist.