Gardenıng therapy
Patients at the Amputee Rehabilitation Unit have been enjoying weekly gardening groups, thanks to your support.
The groups are a fantastic way to help them move forwards, both physically and psychologically, in their journey towards going home.
Ray has been at the rehab unit, which is based in Kennington, for four weeks following a long stay of over six months at St Thomas’ Hospital.
Ray’ s left leg has been amputated to below the knee and his time at the unit is to help him prepare for having an artificial limb – also called a prosthesis. Once he has it and is able to function well, he can go home.
Ray has been to the gardening group a number of times during his stay. The group is held in the lovely outdoor grounds of the unit, and is a chance for patients to get away from the ward and gym, and spend time outside.
‘ I like coming to the gardening group, I find it interesting,’ says Ray.‘ I don’ t mind what I do here; it just keeps your mind going, it really does. And they’ re a very nice lot of people.’
The weekly gardening group is run by Rehabilitation Assistant, Joe Scoble. He sees huge benefits for patients’ recovery, both psychologically and physically.
‘ Often people have had their confidence knocked,’ says Joe.‘ A group like this shows them that they can do things practically and starts to help them see what they can manage when they go home.
‘ To be able to have the extra funding for stuff like this is a real luxury. The group really helps the patients, and it’ s something that we wouldn’ t be able to do without donations.’
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