HORTICULTURE FEATURE
Farms and gardens were , at one time , a major feature of many hospitals . In the 1800s , the majority of psychiatric hospitals were built out of town where large areas of land could be used for engaging in activity outside in the natural environment ( Hickman 2013 ).
For example , the York Retreat was a particular exemplar in emphasising the environment as playing an important role in the healing process , to calm and restore the mind .
Historically , the occupational therapy profession has widely used horticulture as a therapeutic intervention ; with the evolving professions of both occupational therapy and horticulture , ‘ social and therapeutic horticulture ’ has developed as a therapeutic approach in its own right .
Sempik et al ( 2005 ) cite such activity as addressing both physical and mental health and wellbeing , improving socialisation and social inclusion , promoting self-confidence , self-esteem , creativity and development of community and friendship networks . There is also the potential to meet spiritual needs through connecting with nature .
Tom Kendall , NHS England national clinical director for mental health , has reiterated the importance of access to open space in promoting healing , stating that ‘ there is a quiet , but powerful rhythm to gardening , which is good for people living with severe mental illness ’ and that ‘ a garden is one of those things that can give people purpose and hope when they feel they have neither ’ ( cited in The Garden , 2019 , August edition , pp . 42-44 ).
Furthermore , employing social and therapeutic horticulture can be actively linked to the Five Ways to Wellbeing , outlined within the Mental Capital and Wellbeing Project , produced by Foresight , an organisation that helps the UK government to think systematically about the future of the nation .
Griffiths ( 2020 ) states that ‘ there are very few , if any , other activities that can achieve all of the things that horticulture and gardening can – in particular , the measurable impact on active lifestyles , mental wellbeing and social interaction ’.
Whilst Stuart-Smith states that ‘ contact with nature affects us on different levels , sometimes we are filled with it , fully present and conscious of its effects , but it also works slowly and subconsciously in a way that can be particularly helpful for people suffering from trauma , illness and loss ( 2020 ).
Oliver Sacks ( cited in Stuart-Smith 2020 , p . 255 ) has stated that ‘ in many cases , gardens and nature are more powerful than any medication ’.
Finally , new evidence from research conducted jointly by the University of Exeter and the Royal Horticultural Society ( 2020 ) has concluded that those who spend time in the garden – gardening or relaxing – are significantly more likely to report general good health , higher levels of psychological wellbeing and greater levels of physical activity than those who do not .
Development of the project Armed with a great deal of enthusiasm , fuelled by the ideas gained from the workshop , and working in the knowledge that there is , and continues to be , a solid evidence base , preparations were made for introducing the project .
which it is taking place .
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Patients have responded particularly favourably to the sowing and planting sessions , the sensory and learning experiences related to herbs , and making bird food and pop-up cardboard garden birds .
Preparations included developing folders that included : session plans , with clear aims and objectives ; evidence-based materials ; project ideas ; month-by-month activities and tips ; and gardeningrelated materials , such as wordsearch and colouring sheets . Together with purchase of the necessary resources and actively incorporating the sessions within the weekly therapy treatment plan .
Each session commences with an introduction to the concept , aims and objectives of social and therapeutic horticulture , followed by an appropriate poem linked to the session activity or the month in
activities , including :
The activity for the day is then discussed , with resources distributed and verbal instructions for completion of the activity . Physical assistance is given where needed , particularly when the activity is unfamiliar .
Where patients may , for whatever reason , be reluctant to engage in the proposed activity , a selection of gardening magazines , plant catalogues and small picture books are available to browse through .
After sessions , patients are offered topic related wordsearch puzzles and colouring sheets to maintain the theme and ongoing interest . To date , sessions have covered a wide variety of
• seed identification , and making / decorating seed packets ;
• making a decoupage seed box , with decorated index cards ; sowing sweet peas ;
• identification of fresh / dried herbs , and their medicinal and culinary uses ;
• making bird food for garden feeding stations , and A-Z Birds Quiz ;
• making pop-up cardboard garden birds ;
• planning spring bulbs ( as part of a unit fundraiser );
• nature-related card-making ;
• planting onion sets / sowing tomato plant seeds – and potting on ;
• sowing seeds / planting summer bedding in outdoor raised beds and containers ;
• pebble art , for placing in the garden ;
• weeding , deadheading and watering ;
• gathering flowers and foliage to dry in a giant flower press for use in card and picture-making ;
• engaging with a ‘ sensory nature tray ’; and
• sensory walks , incorporating mindfulness , in the garden . Patients have also produced a large poster encapsulating the activities undertaken between September and December 2019 , which will be replaced with an updated poster later in the year .
OTnews January 2021 47