Horticulture Therapy

[denise]

Any one on here involved in any area of horticulture therapy?
My reason for the question I found out on Wednesday that I will be redundant from my job at the end of August, as a lecturer in a special education college. I am thinking that I would like to use the skills I have from this job with my love for gardening.
Exploring all avenues that lead in this direction at the moment, any help /advice gratefully received.

[Alison]

Good for you - not involved personally but do find that pottering about in the garden is brilliant for stress relief after a manic day in the office.

[laura g]

I work for a community music charity. not the same at all I know BUT we are heavily involved in arts in health. Runs along the same occupational lines as horticultual therapy i guess.

I know that there's a gardening therapy organisation called Thrive. Like our org, I believe they employ therapists on projects. Think they're on the web.

If our arts work lessens, I also recommend self employed therapists contact potential clients/users direct. For instance in your case hospitals (head of occupational therapy departments), council social care departments, care and nursing homes. Local charities, agencies etc. Quite often these people don't know what they want for their clients until you offer it to them. Make up a package of 'projects' with definate aims and outcomes. Price yourself properly. I'm horrified when orgs I know that are swimming in money and/or able to draw down substantial funds want something for nothing!

With your background, what about the council's alternative education unit?

Had another thought. Get in contact with local community regeneration groups. Could start a project up involving using/promoting allotments and engaging vulnerable/older people. Nothing that the funders like more than meeting as many objectives as poss!

Good luck!

[TonyF]

I used to be the funding officer for HT after the demise of the GLC back in the 1980s when they were based in Battersea Park.

Unless it has changed substantially in the meantime, I would recommend it to anybody if they really wanted to teach gardening skills to people for whom the skills may make a significant difference to their lives- I always thought it was an excellent project.

[Sue]

Denise
Have you tried contacting HDRA? I think they've trained people to run horticultural therapy courses, might not be exactly what you want but there might be some contacts that would help.
Best of luck with it though
Sue

[sewer rat]

Cannot help at the moment but the farmer and his wife who rent me my land have two severely disabled teenage children and they have asked me if I would be willing to have their daughter's respite group come and visit my business on a regular basis, which I happily agreed to. The area organiser is to get in touch with me this week so if you want I'll see if there is a national body to contact or what Department / Agency deals with this area.

[denise]

Thank You all for your time in replying to my post. Lots of excellent ideas and advice, but also your support which means a lot. I will keep you posted.
Thank YOU all.