FEATURE HORTICULTURE
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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 .
In the good weather [ last summer ], the more physically-able patients have enjoyed spending time in the garden , either actively engaging in gardening tasks , or appreciating the sensory and mindful aspects of being outdoors . No one activity has yet met with a strongly negative response , the majority of patients being willing ‘ to give it a go ’.
The current coronavirus pandemic has resulted in the local Northamptonshire Health Charity funding the purchase of compost , plant containers and new gardening equipment , while another local organisation that fundraises for various causes have provided compost , containers and summer bedding plants .
These generous donations have been hugely appreciated in enabling the project ’ s activities to continue . In addition to the many benefits of engagement in social and therapeutic horticultural activities , it has provided much-needed distraction from the anxieties of the pandemic and its attendant restrictions , including not being able to have loved ones visit .
The Connect and Thrive project has been a regular feature of the therapy treatment programme for almost a year . During this time , a wide range of activities have been introduced that have aimed to connect patients to the positive benefits of gardening and connectedness to nature .
It is expected that the range of activities on offer will be expanded , to enable this connection to be maintained throughout the year , so that patients – at whatever level they are able to – can benefit from the positive connection to nature even on the coldest , wettest day , and when , for whatever reason , they may be unable to engage in the physical exertions of ‘ pure gardening ’.
The sessions planned and facilitated to date demonstrate that social and therapeutic horticultural activities can take a multitude of forms .
Through the author ’ s intention to attend additional workshops ( when current
COVID-19 restrictions allow ) and complete online courses , it is hoped to generate new ways to bring the project to as many patients as possible , in order to promote positive mental and physical health and wellbeing .
References
Griffiths A , Keightley M , Gatti A and Allaway Z ( 2020 ) Your wellbeing garden . How to make your garden good for you . London : Dorling Kindersley Ltd
Hickman C ( 2013 ) Therapeutic landscapes . Manchester : Manchester University Press
Kendall T ( 2019 ) Growing and gardens are good for you . The Garden . November 2019 , pp . 42-44 . Peterborough : RHS Media
Sacks O ( 2019 ) Why we need gardens . Essay in ‘ Everything in its place : First loves and last tales ’. Cited in Stuart-Smith S ( 2020 ) The well-gardened mind . Rediscovering nature in the modern world , p . 255 . London : William Collins
Sempik J , Aldridge J and Becker S ( 2003 ) Social and therapeutic horticulture : evidence and messages from research . Reading / Loughborough : Thrive / Centre for Child and Family Research
Sempik J , Aldridge J and Becker S ( 2005 ) Health , wellbeing and social inclusion : Therapeutic Horticulture in the UK . Bristol : The Policy Press
Stuart-Smith S ( 2020 ) The well-gardened mind . Rediscovering nature in the modern world . London : William Collins
University of Essex / Royal Horticultural Society ( 2020 ) Spending time in the garden is positively associated with health and wellbeing : results from a national survey in England . Cited in The Garden , August 2020 , 145 ( 8 ) 10 . Peterborough : RHS Media
Astrid Cooper , specialist occupational therapist , Mental Health Services for Older People , The Forest Centre , Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust . Email : astrid . cooper @ nhft . nhs . uk
48 OTnews January 2021