Social & Therapeutic Horticulture

Service Description

Based at our Flower Farm Allotment, we provide outdoor learning experiences for everyone,from vulnerable adults, those with learning difficulties or those with physical disabilities. Our STH provides structured, outcome focussed horticultural, and craft activities are centred around our clients’ specific needs and within in a social setting. The health and wellbeing benefits of gardening are well-documented and include: • Better physical health (through exercise and strengthening muscles to improve mobility); • Improved mental health (through a sense of purpose, hope, and achievement) • Opportunity to connect with others (reducing feelings of isolation or exclusion) • Opportunity to learn new skills (increasing confidence and self-fulfillment) • Increased connection to nature (which itself is documented to improve mental health) We have trained practitioners that work with individuals to use specific activities to help address a particular area of need, such as building confidence, raising self-esteem, learning techniques, improving balance, fitness or fine motor skills (to name a few). This is sometimes carried out in with other gardeners to help increase social inclusion and support social skills. Used in this way, Little Flowers of Joy offers a wealth of experiential and interactive opportunities to achieve feelings of calm and safety through our innate connection to nature. It also allows people to securely, and without the same pressure, exercise aspects of life which are more difficult in the outside world, such as making decisions, planning and having responsibilities. There are metaphors we can draw on in the garden which relate to life too, such as sowing seeds and new beginnings, weeding and letting things go. There is a strong focus on taking care of the garden and life within it, using organic, regenerative and permaculture principles, knowing that looking after our site means we can also take care of ourselves.