using gardening to change lives - horticultural therapy

8/4/2019 Using gardening to change lives - Horticultural Therapy

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/using-gardening-to-change-lives-horticultural-therapy 1/20

Using gardeningto change lives

a guide to

who we are • what we do • how we do it



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HRH Princess Alexandra



a

Thrivetoday 3

Gardeningsaveslives–MontyDon’sstory 4

WhatdoesThriveoer? 6

Casestudy:TimRebuilding his lie ater an accident 8

DisabilityintheUK 9

Thepowerogardening 0

Casestudy:JamesImproving his uture through a qualifcation

Howtousegardening 2

Ideasoractivities 3

Usinggardeningathome 4

Casestudy:SallyBrampton 5

Horticulturaltherapy 6

Casestudy:VeronicaBuilding a dierent lie ater a stroke 7

Whatdogardenprojectsoer? 8

Casestudy:EileenHelping those with dementia and their gardening memories 9

Thrive’sgardenprojects 20Casestudy:GavinDiagnosed with schizophrenia and still making the most o lie 2

Thrive’sTrunkwellGardenProject 22

Thrive’sBatterseaGardenProject 24

Extendingourinuence 26

Volunteering 28

Casestudy:Ken 28

Casestudy:MarkDemonstrating that a visual impairment is not a barrier to gardening 29

Thrive–ourhistory 30

Contents



Sinceitsinceptionin1978Thrive’saim

hasremainedconstant:tomakeuseo

gardeningtochangethelivesodisabled

people.IntheUKtoday,oneinfvepeoplearelivingwithadisabilitythattheywere

bornwith,gainedastheyagedorasa

resultoanillnessoraccident.

Thriveisasmallnationalcharitythatuses

theprocessogardeningtohelpdisabled

peopleliterallytransormtheirlives.Thrive

oershelptodisabledpeoplewhowant

togardenathome,onanallotmentorin

acommunitysettingorwhoalternatively,

maywanttoaccessstructured

horticulturaltherapyprogrammes.

Gardeningcanbringprooundchange,

romimprovementsinphysicalor

psychologicalhealthtoadjustmentsin

belies,attitudesorbehaviourstothe

transormationoskills,knowledgeand

abilities.Thrivehasawealthoevidence

andexperiencetosupportthis.

Ultimatelythechangespeoplemakecan

helpthemovercomeeverydayobstacles

andchallengestheymayaceintheirlives.

Thrivebelievesthatindividualchange

Thrivetoday

islikeapebbleinapoolandripplesout

touchingamily,riends,acquaintances,

communityandfnallysociety,owhich

thepersonisapart.

3

• Threeoutoourpeopleoundthatgardening

hasbeenbenefcialtotheirhealth

• Oneinthreebelievegardeninghasongoing

healthbenefts

• Oneinfvereportthatgardeninghashelped

themthroughaperiodomentalorphysical

illhealth.

From the survey ‘Levels of interest and

participation in gardening among individuals

with a disability’ Mintel 2006 for Thrive



“Forthefrstfteenyearsorsoomylie

Ihatedgardening.Iwasbroughtupina

largeamilywithasprawlinggardenand

myparentsnotunreasonablysawtheirfvechildrenasauseulworkorceinthe

perpetualstruggleokeepingitunder

controlandproducingallourvegetables.

Mostdayswewouldbehandedout

tasksthat,withhindsight,werenotat

allunreasonable.Thelawnhadtobe

mown,thestrawberriesweeded,parsnips

thinnedorperhapsthepotatoesearthed

up.AtthetimeIdidthemallslowlyand

unwillinglyandcertainlywithoutaglimmer

opleasure.ButIspentalongtimeinthe

gardenand,despitemysel,learnthowto

domanybasichorticulturaltasks.Ilearnt

itsrhythms.

“Then,whenIwasabout17,Iwas

sowingcarrotsaterschoolonamild,

midgyMarchevening.Thesunwas

settingbehindthebeechtreeandtheairwasullothesot,oldingcallsowood

pigeonsgoingtoroost.Isuddenlyhada

powerulsenseoabsolutecontentment.

Theeartheltperectlysmoothtomy

fngers,theseedabsolutelyintheright

placeinmycuppedhand.Iknewjustwhat

todoandexactlyhowtodoit.Iknewthat

thiswasameasureohappinessthatI

wouldalwaysbeabletoreerto.

“Thateelinghasneverreallygoneaway.

Therearedayswhenyouaregladtohave

fnishedacertainjoborwhenyoulong

orspring,butthegardenandgardening

itselhasneverailedtobeasourceo

inspirationandcomortorme.

“Formanyyearsthisdidnottranslateinto

anythingotherthanaprivaterichness.

MywieandIgardenedtogetherrom

almostthefrstdaywemetbutinour

owntimeandwehardlyknewanyone

elsewastheleastbitinterestedinour

passion.Thethoughtoearningaliving

romitneverenteredmymind.But

GardeningsaveslivesMoty Do, a ambassador or Thriv,xlais why ardi is imortat to him

throughacomplicatedandunlikelyset

ocircumstancesIoundmyselatthe

ageo34writingabookaboutagarden

IwasmakinginHereordshireandpresentinggardeningitemsonGranada’s

This Morning programme–although

Ineverevenknewdaytimetelevision

existedbeoreIappearedonit.Iheard

peoplereertomeasan‘expert’when

IkneworcertainthatIwasnomore

thananenthusiastic–wellOK,obsessive

–amateur.Liehasaunnywayogoing

aboutthings.

“Itgotodder.Mycompanywentunder

andIoundmyselwithoutadayjob.

Wehadtosellourhouseandallour

possessionstopaythedebts.Noone

boughtthebook.Tellyworkdriedup.

Ihadnomoney,nohome,threesmall

childrenandthedepressionthatIhadlived

withormanyyearsbecameaull-blown

breakdown.Thingswereverygrimindeed.

“Gardeninghealedme.Slowly–andthere

weremanybaddays–Istruggledtowards

thateelingIhadwhenIwassowing

carrotseedsontheMarchevening.

SlowlyIreturnedtotheearthandwasable

togrow.Simplethings–cuttingthegrass,

plantingatrayoviolas–createdaripple

oconfdencethatcarriedmeorward.

Ocoursetherewereotherthingstoo;

drugs,counselling,andnotleast,the

constantloveomywieSarah,butnone

othatwouldhaveworkedwithouta

gardentoworkin.

“SoIknowhowitis.Ihavegotlucky.

Thingsaregoingwell.Iamwell.ButIstill

fghtdepression.Istillneedthegarden

toeaseatroubledmind.Iknowrommy

ownexperiencethatgardeningdoesso

muchmorethantidyuptheoutsideo

ourhousesorentertainusontelevision.

Gardeningsaveslives.”

5

Th work o Thriv is vital.

A hu ra o ol rom

childr to th vry old ca fd

comort ad ral rcovry throuh

ardi ad horticultur.

Monty Don



1 Iormatio, uidac ad advic

Acomprehensiveinormationserviceisavailableorthoselookingorsupportto

gardenathome.Peoplecanaccesson-the-spotadvice,actsheetsandavariety

owrittenandaudiopublicationsaswellasspecifcguidessuchas:− Gardening or Hearts & Minds – astep-by-stepguideorthosewho

wanttousegardeningaspartotheirrehabilitationollowingaheart

attackorstroke.

− Getting on with Gardening – aguideullopracticalinormationor

blindorpartiallysightedgardeners.

− Websites – www.thriv.or.uk oersurtherinormationonThrive

andislinkedtoitssisterwebsitewww.carryoardi.or.uk

whichgivespracticaladviceandalargeamountoinormationabout

gardeningwithadisability.

2 Oortuitis to lar

– Roadshows – givetheindividualgardeneranopportunitytotakepart

inpracticaldemonstrationsandworkshopsacrossEnglandtolearn

useultipsandtechniquestotakehome.

– Short Training Programmes –throughouttheyearoeringoneortwo

daycoursesonavarietyotopicssuitableorhorticulturaltherapists,

health,educationorsocialcareproessionals.

– Higher Education – inpartnershipwithCoventryUniversity,Thrive

oerstheonlyproessionaldiplomainsocialandtherapeutic

horticulture.

– Bespoke Courses – orthosewhowantsomethingtailor-made.

WhatdoesThriveoer?

3 Horticultural thray roramms

Fromtwogardens,oneinBatterseaPark,Londonandtheotheratitsheadofce

inBeechHill,Reading,Thriveoerssubsidisedplacesonarangeoprogrammes

todisabledpeopleagedbetween14and85.Theseincluderehabilitation,

dementiaandheadinjuryprogrammesaswellasprogrammeswhichleadtoa

vocationalqualifcation.

4 Liks ito local commuitis

IyouarelookingoraplaceorariendorrelativeatoneotheUK’s1,000Garden

Projects,whichoerhorticulturaltherapytoover24,000disabledpeopleeach

week,Thrivecarriesanationaldatabaseandcontactdetails.

5 Volutri Whetheryouareanorganisationlookingorateamvolunteeringdayoran

individualwithaewhourstospare,volunteersarewelcomeinawidevarietyo

roles.YoumaywanttouseyourexistingskillsatThrive,trysomethingdierent

orgetoutdoorsinthegardensupportingclientsorsimplyjoinwithothersinsocial

gardening.Studentsstudyingsocialworkoroccupationaltherapyhavebeen

comingtoThriveormanyyearsaspartotheirpracticallearningexperienceon

theircourses.

7



TimRbuildi his li atr a accidt

Overtenyearsago,anhorrifcroad

accidentputTiminacomaornineweeks

andinhospitalortwoyears.Hishead

injurieslethimwithmemorylossandbalanceproblemsandrobbedhimo80

percentohissight.Hisdifcultbehaviour

–notuncommoninpeoplewithsuch

severeinjuries–eventuallyledtodivorce

andthelossoaccesstohischildren.Tim

didn’thavemuchtolookorwardto.But

he’dalwayslovedgardening.

AvisittoThrivegaveTimanew-ound

optimism.Tostartwith,hereliedonastick

anddarkglasses,butthegentlephysical

exercisehelpedrehabilitateTimromhis

injuries.

Timgrewinstrengthandconfdence.He

passednationalqualifcationsingardening

andsoonotherpeopleatThrivewere

turningtohimorsupport–anincredible

situationconsideringhe’dspentsolong

beingdependentonothers.

TimnowworksorThriveull-time.Andup

to14peopleeveryday,peopleoncejust

asdesperateanddependentashewas,

ThedisabledpopulationintheUKtoday

islargeatjustover10millionpeople.

Itisalsodiverse,intermsoage,income

andeducation.

Thelikelihoododisabilityincreaseswith

age,buteveryday75childrenarebornor

diagnosedwithadisability.Whenyouread

theworddisability,youmightthinkabout

peopleinawheelchair,butdisabilitycan

bebothpermanentandtemporaryand

muchbroader,includingpeoplewhohave

hadaheartattackoracaraccident.One

insevenoushasahearingproblemand

therearetwomillionpeoplelivingwith

avisualimpairment.Strokeremainsthe

largestcauseophysicaldisabilitywith

130,000newcaseseachyear.Oneinour

ouswillexperiencesomekindomental

healthprobleminthecourseotheyear

andover40,000childrennowuseanti-

depressants.

Disabledpeoplearemorelikelytolivein

povertyandearnlessthanhaloanon-

disabledperson.Oneinfvepeopleo

workingageintheUKisdisabled,butonly

halothemareinwork,while1.2million

wouldliketoworkbutcan’tfndjobs.

nowbeneftromhisboundlessoptimism

andskills.

TimisalivingexampleowhatThrivecanhelppeopleachieve.

Twentyonepercentodisabledpeople

aged16–24havenoqualifcations

comparedwithninepercentonon-

disabledothesameage.Disabled

childrenare13timesmorelikelytobe

excludedromschoolanddisabled16year

oldsaretwiceaslikelytobeout

owork.

Disabilityi th UK

9



JamesImrovi his utur throuh a qualiicatio

Gardeningoersarangeotasksand,irrespectiveoageorabilitycansupportpeople

inreachingtheirgoals.Thefvekeybeneftsare:

1 Bttr hysical halth–gardeningisaormoexercisewhichcanbeusedinrehabilitation,rebuildingstrengthateranaccidentorillness.Ithasbeenshownit

canhelpimprovebonedensityinolderpeopleandcanhelpusintacklingproblems

suchasobesitywhichcanleadtomoreseriousproblemssuchasdiabetes.

2 Imrovd sycholoical halth–awealthoevidenceoutlinesthepositive

aspectsogardeningonourmentalhealthincludingitsabilitytohelpuswith

optimism,oeringaregularroutine,asenseopurposeandachievement.For

thosewhogardeninagrouptherecanbeadditionalpositiveeectsontheirsel-

esteemandsel-worth.

3 Social bfts –ithasbeenreportedthatthosewhohavegreatersocialcontact

eelhealthier.Gardeningoersasustainableinterestwhichcanhelppeopleto

connectwithothersandorsome,irrespectiveoage,anopportunitytoimprove

socialandcommunicationskills.

4 Qualifcatios ad skills –arecognisedhorticulturalqualifcationcanincreasethe

chancesoemployment.Takingpartinstructuredgardeningactivitiesoersthe

opportunitytoimproveskillssuchasinitiative,co-operation,patience,concentration

aswellasnumeracyandliteracyallowhichareuseulinallareasolie.

5 Accss to th atural viromt –researchinenvironmentalpsychologyshows

thatthenaturalenvironmentpromotesrecoveryromstressandhelpstorestorethe

abilitytoocusattention.Gardensproviderestorativeenvironments.Beingoutside,

gettingreshairandseeingthingsgrowareimportanttousashumanbeings.

Gardeningallowsustoconnectwithnature.

Jameswasbulliedatschool.Heelt

isolatedandsuicidal.Jamesinternalised

theseeelingsandbecameverballyand

physicallyaggressive,nottopeoplebuttoobjects.Hekickedinadooratalocal

communitygroup.Heeltunsociableand

eectivelypushedallhisgoodriends

away,isolatinghimselevenurther.

James’smotherhadalreadyidentifed

hehadbeenexperiencingdifculties.

TheyhaveagoodrelationshipandJames

eltabletodisclosehowsuicidalhehad

become.Clearlyalarmbellswereringing

orthewholeamilyatthisstage.

At14yearsold,James

wasacingexclusionrom

school,whichcouldmean

leavingschoolwithno

qualifcations.Hisamily

turnedtoThrive.Working

withhishandsheound

aplacetoexpresshis

creativityandshowed

aneagernesstolearn.

Ingardeninghewasable

ThepowerogardeningTh iv ky bits

tocometotermswithandmanagehis

eelingsoanger.

TwoyearsatercomingtoThriveJamescompletedanNVQLevel1in

Horticulture.Sincethenhehasattended

youthgroups,andgainedthebronze

YouthAchievementAward.Jamesisnow

settomoveonandwouldliketoeither

traininsportsmanagement,orworkasa

greenkeeperashisotherpassionisgol.

Jamessays:“Thrivereallyhelpedme.

IthoughtIwouldleaveschoolwithout

anyqualifcationsandnowI’vegotan

NVQandmuchmore,thankstoThrive.”



Ideasoractivitiesad thir bft

HowtousegardeningSix siml sts

ReachingStretching

Pruning–roses,buddleja

Seedsowing–annuals,earlysaladcrops

Manualdexterity(fnemotorskills)Co-ordination

KeyTasks PhysicalBeneft Emotional/

Psychological

Beneft

Transerable

Element

Planting–potatoes,ruitbushes

ManualdexterityGrossmotorskillsBending

ConcentrationLookingorwardRecallopastexperiences

3

SenseoachievementExternalocus

Improveddiet–iusingvegetables/herbs

Knowledgeodietandcooking

AccesstooutdoorsCo-ordination

BuyingseedsEnhancedconfdenceSenseovalue

Stepone: Committogivingyourselsomegardeningtime.Thiscanberom

fveminutesto30minutes.Otensmallperiodsotimethroughout

thedaycanbebetterthanonelongsession.

Steptwo: Decidewhereandwhenyouaregoingtogarden.Thismightbe

inyourowngarden,atariend’s,inacommunitygarden,onan

allotmentorevenonabalconyorusingawindowbox.

Stepthree: Beoreyoustart,takeamomenttoconsiderwhatyouwant.Itcould

beorexamplethatyouwanttoimproveyourbalance,togetbetter

atholdingtools,buildyourconcentration,developaskillsuchas

plantingorseedsowing.Itmightbeyouwanttohelpsomebody

elsetoovercometheireelingsoisolationandlonelinessortohelp

themtohaveun.

Stepour: Decide whatgardeningactivitiesortasksyoucoulddobasedon

thetimeoyear.Howcouldtheyhelpyougetwhatyouwant?

(Thetableoppositemaygiveyousomeideas.)

Stepfve: Garden!

Stepsix: Reectonwhatyouhavedone.Wouldyoudoanythingdierently

nexttime?Howdiditmakeyoueel?Didyougetwhatyouwanted?

SpRIng Mar – May

GrossmotorskillsBending

Mulching FeelingftterPurposeul

Senseovalue

SUMMeR Ju – Au

Plantingcontainers SittingorstandingbalanceUpperbody

movement

Instantgratifcation Re-enorcementoskillsandknowledge

Hand/eyeco-ordinationGrip

Deadheading Satisaction Sustainingfnemotorskills

Lawnmowing BalanceMobilityAerobicexercise

SatisactionogainingcontrolSenseoorder

Senseoorder

NurturingGivingandsustaininglieCaring

UnderstandingemotionsOwnershipolie/eelings

StrengthStaminaAerobicexercise

Watering

To fd out mor about ths ad othr sasos las cotact Thriv.



SallyBramptonUsi th ard to dal with hr ‘black do’

Usinggardeningathome

Tohelppeopleharnessthebenefts

ogardeningathome,Thriverunsan

inormationservice,producesarange

oinormationmaterialsandhastwocomprehensivewebsites www.thriv.

or.uk andwww.carryoardi.

or.uk,whichoeradviceandideasona

rangeotopicsromgardendesign,tools

throughtopracticaltipsandtechniques

onhowtogardenwhenyouhavea

specifcdisabilityorhealthneed.

Thrivealsooersarangeoworkshops

androadshowsacrossEngland.These

areaimedatinspiringdisabledgardeners

aswellasteachingthempractical

gardeningtechniqueswhichThrivehas

acquiredoverthirtyyears,andwhichcan

beusedintheirowngardening.

Forthosewhohavehadastrokeorheart

attackwehavedevelopedaneasy-to-use

guidewhichisoeredtothoseleaving

strokeorheartunitsacrossEngland.This

showsinastep-by-stepwayhowtouse

gardeningintheirrehabilitationathome.

ANationalBlindGardeners’Cluboers

SallyBramptonisajournalistandnovelist,

andwastheoundingeditoroBritish Elle .

Butsheisalsoadepressive,andinthe

pasthasbecomesoillthatshehastwiceattemptedsuicide.Shewrotethebook,

Shoot the Damn Dog ,amemoiroher

depression.Sallygavethisinterviewto

The Times insupportoThriveasparto

thenewspaper’sChristmasAppeal2008.

“Gardeningkeepsyouconnectedintothe

seasonsandkeepsyouconnectedintolie

itsel.Ithinkthat’sreallyimportantiyou

suerromanykindomooddisorderto

havethatkindooptimism,toknowthere

isalwaysauture.

“WhenI’mgardeningtheonlythingI

thinkaboutisgardening.Ithinkit’swhat

psychologistscallow–youbecome

completelyabsorbedinsomethingthat

you’redoingandittranscendseverything,

youjustorgeteverythingelse.

“Whenyouareverydepressedyoumight

besuicidalyouknow,whichisjustone

othesymptomsoseveredepression.

Ithinkthatwhatagardenteachesyouis

thosewhoareblindorpartiallysighteda

quarterlyaudiomagazineaswellasonthe

spotinormationandadvice.

thatthingsdie,butthingscomeback,and

thereisalwaysthisconstantcycle.

“IjustthinkwhatThrivedoesisabsolutelyantastic,I’vealwaysthoughtwithThrive

thatthereisaeelingorealacceptance

aboutpeopleandtheirdierencesand

itbringspeopletogether,that’sjust

wonderul.”

Shoot the Damn Dog, A Memoir of Depression

Sally Brampton,

published by Bloomsbury

5



HorticulturalTherapy:nw ractic but old thiki

Horticulturaltherapyisarelativelynew

proessionbuttheconceptevolved

centuriesago.CourtphysiciansinEgypt

prescribedwalksinthePalacegardensormentallydisturbedroyalty,andlater

DrBenjaminRush(1745–1813)opened

thedoortotheactiveuseohorticulture

inthetreatmentomentalillness.

ServicemenreturningromtheWorld

Warswereencouragedtotakepartinthis

purposeulactivityandasaresulthospital

staysreduced.Inthe1930sgardening

wasacceptedasavaluableoccupational

therapytoolorphysicalandpsychiatric

disordersbyoccupationaltherapists.

IntheUKtoday,trainedproessionalsin

socialandtherapeutichorticultureoer

structuredprogrammestoover24,000

disabledpeopleonaweeklybasis.Activitiesnormallytakeplaceat‘garden

projects’whicharelocatedineveryregion.

Theycanbeallotments,walledgardens,

greenspacesoutsidehospitalsoreven

asmallpatchinanindustrialestate.The

frstrecordedproject,whichisstillactive,

wasoundedin1913inAyrshire.Thrive

maintainsthenationaldatabaseoUK

gardenprojectsandoersawidevariety

otrainingandsupporttothem.

My li was oi owhr ad

this ot rally bad –

I thouht about suicid. Comito Thriv comltly turd my

li aroud. I mad w rids

ad ot all this suort rom

ol thr, ad I’v ot ormal

qualifcatios too, thr’s o

way I’d b whr I am today

without Thriv.

James

6 7

Veronicais54yearsoldandhadastroke

in2005.Shelostthesightinoneoher

eyesandcan’tuseherletarmandleg.

Thestrokecompletelychangedherlieandsheurgentlyneededsomethingnew

toocusontohelprebuildherconfdence

andgetherstrengthback.

Veronicahadalwayslikedgardeningand

areerralbysocialservicesallowedherto

startcomingtotheThriveTrunkwellGarden

Projectoronedayaweek.Veronica

says:“IwishI’doundoutaboutThrive

earlier.ThefrstdayIcameIdidn’twant

togohome!Iwasn’tsurewhattoexpect

becauseIhadn’tbeenoutothehouseor

years–IhadstayedinbedwishingIwas

dead.ThenIwasshownaroundthegarden

andIthoughtitwaslovely.”

Atfrst,VeronicaoundhertripstoThrive

verytiringbutslowlyshestartedtouse

hergoodsidemore,stretchingtoreach

gardeningtoolsandhelpingwithtabletop

tasks.“I’vebeensortingvegetables,

cuttingowersandevensowingseeds

andpottingon.Thetherapistsshow

mehowtousethetools–Ioundthe

secateursdifcult,butusingthemat

VeronicaBuildi a dirt liatr a strok

Thrivehelpedmetocutthingswith

scissorsathome–thefrsttimeI’d

managedtocutanythingmyselsince

Ihadmystroke.”

Veronica’sprogresshasbeensogoodthat

shenowcomestoThriveortwodays

aweekandsheabsolutelylovesit.As

wellashelpingwiththegardeningjobs,

shenowworksintheSecretGardenat

Trunkwellandhasstarteddiggingand

plantingowersintheraisedbeds.

7

I would com to Thriv vry

day o th wk i I could – v

wkds. It rally has mad

such a dirc – it’s th bst

thi I’v vr do.

Veronica



9

Whatdogardenprojectsoer?

Gardenprojectsoerpeopleoallages,

whohaveawiderangeodisabilities,the

opportunitytoengageinregulargardening

throughouttheyearinastructuredway.

Skilledproessionals,worktodefned

socialandtherapeutichorticultural

practices,whichtakeaccountoboth

physicalandpsychologicalneedstomeet

goalsagreedwiththatindividual.

Peoplesometimesdecideorthemselves

toattendagardenprojectbutmostlikely

theywillbereerredbyoccupational

therapists,throughsocialservices,or

specifcteams,suchascommunity

mentalhealth,learningdisabilityorolder

personsteams.

Attendancewillvarybutisnormallyat

leastonceeachweekoranagreed

period.Gardeningactivitiesaremostly

withintheprojectitselbutcouldbeout

inthecommunityoranearbylocalsetting.

Costsvarybyproject,butromThrive’s

researchfrstpublishedin2005,the

averageeeis£55perpersonperday.

ForThrive,therealcostisalmostthree

timesthisandthedierenceismadeup

romcharitabledonations.Thenumber

opeopleattendingaprojectwilldepend

onitssize,resources,staandvolunteers.

AtThriveweoperatearatioosevenor

eightpeopletoonetherapistandthis

groupisthensupportedbyuptothree

volunteers.

8

EileenHli thos with dmtiaad thir ardi mmoris

Eileenhasdementia.Sheis55years

oldandwasanactivewieandmother,

lookingorwardtothetimewhenshe

mightbeagrandmother.HerhusbandAlantoldus:

“Eileenhasgraduallygonerombeing

abletodoeverythingyouandIcando,

tobeingpracticallyincapableoanything.

It’sheartbreakingtowatchherdeteriorate.

Sometimesshehastearsinhereyes.She

canhardlyspeakanymore,soIcanonly

imaginethetraumaowhatshemustbe

goingthrough.”

EileenattendedaThriveGardenProject

onceaweekwhileherdementiawasin

theearlystages.Itmadeadierenceto

herlieandAlancouldseethedierence:

“AteradayatThrive,shelaughedand

jokedandquietlyhummedtohersel.

Thrivemadeherhappyagain.Eileenused

tobeaterrifcgardener.”

Dementiaisaprogressive,debilitating

diseasewhichcausesadeclineinmemory

andatleastoneothercognitiveunction.

Itisestimatedthat775,000peopleare

livingwithdementiaintheUK.

Forthoseintheearlystagesodementia,

gardeningcanhelp.Itcanstimulate

positivememories,oersgentleexercise,

creativityandaroutethroughisolationor

theindividualandthecarer.Gardening

canliterallyhelppeopletore-connectwith

theiramily.

9



Thrive’sgardenprojects

Thriverunstwogardenprojects,one

locatedjustoutsideReading,andthe

otherinLondon’sBatterseaPark.Thrive’s

projectsareintegraltomeetingthedeliveryothevision,missionandaimso

thewholeorganisation,whichplacesthem

inauniquepositionamongstUKgarden

projects.TheysupportThrivebyoering:

Atangibledemonstrationothe

principlesandpracticesosocial

andtherapeutichorticultureor

thosemembersothepublicand

proessionalswhoareinterested.

Aocalpointorqualitystandards

andbestpracticewithinsocialand

therapeutichorticulture.Thisinturnis

usedinourtrainingorhealth,social

careandeducationalproessionals

aswellasthoseactivelyinvolvedin

runninggardenprojectsallovertheUK.

Anopportunitytotrialcuttingedge

practicesorpilotgardeningsolutions

whichmeettheneedsoeithera

defnedgroupopeopleorthose

whohavespecifcdisabilities.Then,

basedonevaluation,Thriveconsiders

whethertoreplicateorextendpilot

workregionallyornationally.

BothoThrive’sgardenprojectsoera

varietyoprogrammesthattakeplaceboth

atthegardenandinthelocalcommunity.

Theseinclude:

arehabilitationprogrammeorthose

whohavehadastrokeorheartattack

aspring/summerprogrammeorthose

whohavedementia

atransitionprogrammeorthose

movingromsecurementalhealth

unitsbackintothecommunity

atwoyearprogrammeoryoung

peoplewithspecialeducationalneeds.

Thisleadstoavocationalqualifcation

whichalsocontainsanelemento

‘stealth’learningtohelpstudents

developimportanttranserableskills

suchaspatience,teamworking,

communication,numeracyandliteracy.

Alltheprogrammesoeredareaimed

atsupportingpeopletomakepositive

changesintheirlivesandprogress.

GavinDiaosd with schizohriaad still maki th most o li

“Iusedtogetbadmoodswingsbutgoing

intothegardenandhavingapurposeinlie

hashelpedtoreducethose.”

GavinfrstcametoThrivein2001,

12yearsaterhewasdiagnosedwith

schizophrenia.

Today,Gavinislookingorwardto

independence.Atersevenyearsworking

withThrive’stherapistsasaclient,he

joinedoursupportedvolunteerproject

andthenmovedontoapart-timepaid

job.Heisalsoworkingasavolunteerin

theresearchlaboratoryatKing’sCollege

London,areallypositivemoveorhimas

beorehisillnesshewasabiochemistat

StMary’sHospitalinPaddington.

Commentingonhowschizophrenia

aectedhim,Gavinsays:“Ihadgreat

problemsreactingtomyenvironment.

IwouldwalkintoaroomandeelasiI

wasinatrance.Gardeninghashelpedme

overcomethat.AtThrive,youdoaullday

whichhelpstobuildstaminaandhelps

yougetbackintoaworkroutine.Thereis

alsoaantasticmixopeoplethereandmy

socialliehastakeno.

“MydoctorssaythatsinceIstarted

gardening,theimprovementhasbeen

obvious.TheyhopethatsoonIwillbeable

tomoveintoahouseoratomyown.Ijusthopeithasagarden!”

Gavinhasgiveninterviewsabouthis

experienceatThrive,haswrittenarticles

orThrive’sjournalGrowthPoint ,andhas

producedaresearchpaperongardening

andmentalhealth.Hehasalsocompleted

avideocourseandhastakentheRoyal

SchooloMusicGrade6examonthe

violin.Thesearethingswhichheadmits

hewouldn’thavedreamtodoingaew

yearsago.

2



Thrive’sTrunkwellGardenProjectRadi, Brkshir

OperatingromaVictorianwalledgarden

andadjacentthreeacreallotment,Thrive

oersawiderangeoprogrammesand

activitiesordisabledpeopleoallagesinterestedingardening.Participantscome

romBerkshire,Surrey,SouthOxordshire

andHampshire.Whilstmostothe

gardeningtakesplaceonsite,Thrivealso

worksoutinthecommunityonprojects

whichbeneftlocalpeople.Thisincludes

themaintenanceothewalledgardenat

theancientruinsoBasingHouseoutside

Basingstoke;aconservationprojectata

localNationalTrustproperty,TheVyne

andatrailblazingpilotprojectworkingwith

olderpeoplereturningromhospitalin

Hampshire.

Nearly110,000oBerkshire’s800,000

residentshavesomeormodisability.

Thisincludesover15,000withdementia

andmanychildrenwithautismormental

healthproblems,sothedemandorplaces

atTrunkwellishigh.

Trunkwellgardenisanapprovedcentre

orCityandGuildstooertheNPTCSkills

orWorkingLieatLevel2and3,Lie

Skills,Level1,2and3andtheNationalVocationalQualifcationinHorticultureat

Level1.Peoplecanworktowholeawards

orindividualunits.

Trunkwellhasdevelopedparticularskills

inworkingwithyoungpeoplewhohave

specialneedsormentalhealthissues,

withpeopleaectedbydementia,those

recoveringromastrokeorheadinjury

andthosewithalearningdisability,helping

themtomoveonwiththeirlives.

23



CurrentlyThriverunsthreegardens

withinthepark;aVictorianHerbGarden,

anOldEnglishGardenanda‘Main’

garden,closetothesportsarenawhichhastheofce,trainingroomandplant

salesarea.Aswellasprogrammesat

thegardens,Thrivealsorunsaprojectat

bothBethlemandSpringfeldhospitals,

Thrive’sBatterseaPark

GardenProjectBattrsa park, Lodo

oeringhorticulturaltherapytolong-stay

mentalhealthpatients.Atspecifcinner

Londonboroughlocationssuchasthe

ChelseaPhysicGarden,Thriveoerssupportedvolunteeringopportunitiesor

thosewithdisabilitiesandmentalhealth

needs,helpingthemtotakeafrststep

backintotheircommunitiesandbecome

independentvolunteers.

AlthoughLondonhasgreatwealth,

someoitsresidentsalsoexperience

signifcantpoverty,indeeddeprivation

anddisabilitygohandinhand.Thisis

duetomanyactorsbutdisabledpeople

aremorelikelytobeunemployed

andtheparentsodisabledchildren

acecoststhatarethreetimesthato

otherparents.BatterseaPark’stwo

neighbouringboroughsLambethand

Wandsworthhavesomeothemost

deprivedwardsnotjustinLondonbut

intheUKand17,000otheirresidents

aredisabledorpermanentlysick.At

Battersea,Thrivewantstoincreasethe

numberolocaldisabledpeoplewecan

helpthroughourgardeningprogrammes

buttodosoweneedtore-developour

acilities.Wearecurrentlyundraising

tocreateanewbuildingandgardenat

themainsitewhichwehopewillbe

completedby2012.

25



Extendingourinuence

Asasmallcharity,oneothemost

eectivewaysorustoreachoutto

disabledpeople,andteachthebenefts

ogardening,isthroughothers.Thismaybethroughspecifcorganisationswho

ocusononedisability,throughtohealth,

socialcareandeducationproessionals

whoareinvolvedwiththem.

Weoerarangeotrainingcourses

aimedatproessionals.Thisincludesthe

onlyproessionalDiplomainSocialand

TherapeuticHorticultureintheUK,which

wehavebeenrunninginpartnershipwith

CoventryUniversityorthelast15years,

throughtoone-daycoursesonavariety

otopics.Theseincludeusinggardening

withthosewhohavementalhealth

needsorlearningdisabilities,engaging

childrenwithspecialeducationalneeds,throughtotheuseosensorygardening

tobeneftthosewhohaveaspecifc

disability.

Wealsocarryoutawiderangeotraining

orspecifcproessionalgroupssuchas

ophthalmologists,teachers,careworkers,

mentalhealthspecialistsandstrokeor

heartrehabilitationofcers,aswellas

bespoketrainingororganisationslike

BUPA.Weotendelivertrainingdirectly

onsiteatdierentorganisationstotheir

sta,volunteersandthedisabledpeople

themselves.Thiscouldbeahospice,care

homeorolderpeoplewithdementia,

mentalhealthunitorstrokeclub.

Thriveoershorticulturaltherapy

proessionalsworkingatprojectsaccess

totheonlyqualitystandarddeveloped

orgardenprojects(basedonPQASSO

–PracticalQualityAssuranceSystemor

SmallOrganisations).Inadditiontheycan

subscribetotheonlyjournalosocialand

therapeutichorticulture,GrowthPoint and

accessavarietyospecifcpublications

andbriefngsheets.

Finally,Thriveoperatesasmallresearch

programmeaimedatsubstantiating

ourclaimsandsupportingusinskills

development.Overthelastfveyearswe

havepublishedresearchwhichincludes–

The Use o Horticulture in Secure Settings

(CentreorCrimeandJusticeStudies,

King’sCollegeLondon),The Evidence

o Benefts o Social and Therapeutic

Horticulture (CentreorChildandFamily

Research,LoughboroughUniversity)

andLevels o Interest and Participation

in Gardening Among Individuals with a

Disability (Mintel).

27



MarkDmostrati that a visual imairmtis ot a barrir to ardi

“Undertakinganykindoactivitywhen

you’reblindotenposesmorechallenges

thanwhenyou’resighted,butthishasnot

dampenedmyenthusiasmandkeennesstogetmyhandsinthesoil.Ihavealways

hadaninterestingardening,andespecially

asitmeansgettingawayromcomputers

andpaperworkattheofce!

“FacedwithalargegardenwhenImoved

intomyfrsthouse,Iwasreallyatalossto

knowhowbesttotackleeverything.With

ailingvision–Iamnowcompletelyblind

–IturnedtoThriveorhelp.

“MyfrstcontactwithThrivewasata

weekendresidentialcourseorblind

gardeners,whereIbecameknownasa

seedling!Itoundmelearningallsorts

ointerestingaspectsogardening,

romlawnmaintenancetopottingon.

Weworkedinsmallgroups,therewere

lotsoactivitieswithtrainedandvery

understandinghorticulturaltherapists.

Learningbytouchisreallythebestway

whenyouareblind.

“InthelastewyearsIhavebeenparto

Thrive’sadvisorygroupandIhavenow

startedalocalcluborBlindGardeners,

‘Gardeneyes’,withsupportromThrive.

Ithinkthatthegreatestdierence

gardeninghasmadetomeisthatithasenabledmetogainaskill,through

Thrive,tonotonlyputproduceonmy

platebutalsogetatremendoussenseo

achievement.Withailingvisionit’shelped

methroughprobablyquiteadifculttime

andIthinkit’sjustgivensuchahuge

interestthatIdon’tquiteknowwhatelse

Iwouldhavedonewithalotomytime.”

29

KenTudgaytookearlyretirementroma

companywhereheworkedor46years

ollowingserviceinTheColdstream

Guards.Histwogreatloveshavealways

beenworkingwithpeopleandgardening.

Kensaid“WhenIfnishedworkeachday

Iusedtotakeallmyproblemsdowntomy

allotment.Icouldleavemyworriesthere.”

Ken–You caot bat atur

Oeringyourtimeasavolunteercanbe

reallyrewardingandcanhelpbothyouand

Thrive.Thriveoersopportunitiestoboth

individualsandtogroupsopeople,otenromcompanies,togetinvolved.Indeed

volunteersdonatealmost13,500hours

everyyear.

Volunteerscanbeseenbuildingstiles,

clearingland,paintingences,supporting

WorkingwiththedisabledclientsatThrive

hasthesameeect.Itputsanyproblems

hethinkshemighthaveintoperspective.

Kensaid“Youcannotbeatnature

(therapy).Wesitandworkinthegarden

withthebirdssingingandthesunshining

andthink,thisisheaven.Tometheyarea

wonderulamily.”

Volunteering

clients,throughtogardeningwithThrive

outinthecommunity.ForexampleThrive

anda30-strongcorporatevolunteerteam

romPriceWaterhouseCooperscarriedoutaonedayrenovationandreplanting

otheroogardenatJoanBartlettCourt,

aresidentialunitortheelderly.

Theimpactothedaywasphenomenal.

Priortotheday,engagementinthe

gardenhadbeenlimitedtotwoorthree

residentswhowerethemselvesfnding

thegardeningastruggle.Duringthe

day,severalmoreresidentsjoinedthe

activities.Sincethen,therehasbeena

revivalointerestinthegarden.

Th atmoshr ystrday was

lctric ad w’r still all o a

hih.

corporate volunteer



ThriveOur history

Wh li stis a ard ca

hal you.

Editor, The Times

3

ThrivebeganastheSocietyor

HorticulturalTherapyandRuralTraining

inFromein1978,setupbyChris

Underhill,ayounghorticulturistinspiredbyhisworkwithpeoplewithlearning

disabilitiesandhisvoluntaryservicein

Arica.Chriswassupportedby,amongst

others,DrGeoreyUdallapaediatrician

whobecametheoundingChairman.

Thefrstgrantwasgiventothecharity

byTheJosephRowntreeFoundation

whoactuallydonatedmorethanhad

beenrequested.

Initiallytheorganisationconcentrated

onsupportingthepeoplewhowere

settingupandrunningspecifc

outdoorprojectsandwantedto

usetheconceptohorticultural

therapy.Itaimedtobeabridge

betweentheworldohorticultureand

theworldohealth.

Inthemid1980stheorganisation

wideneditsscopebyoeringservices

toindividualdisabledgardenersand

mountingasustainedawarenessraising

campaign.In1984ittookoverthe

gardeningserviceromtheDisabled

LivingFoundationandapublicgarden

inBatterseaParkwhichwasthefrst

demonstrationgardenintheUK,created

specifcallyorpeoplewithadisability.

In1989theReverendDrGeoreyUdall

donatedhisamily’sestateandwalled

gardenatBeechHill,nearReadingto

thecharity.Anarmyowillingvolunteers

completelyrestoredandadaptedthe

walledgardenoTrunkwellParkandthis

becametheTrunkwellGardenProject,

whichisnowtheagshipgardenorthe

charity.

Inordertoputtheorganisationin

apositiontobeabletodevelopits

workurther,copewiththeincreasing

demand,andgetitontoasound

fnancialooting,amajorrestructuring

othecharitywasundertakeninthelate

1990s.Thisculminatedinthebuilding

othenationalresourcecentreand

therelocationothenationalofceto

TrunkwellParkin1998,alongwiththe

changeonametoThrive.

Beorehisdeath,theReverendDr

GeoreyUdallmadeprovisionorThrive

inhiswillandthisbequestcontinues

tobeinstrumentalinenablingThrive

tobringthebeneftsogardeningto

increasingnumbersodisabledpeople.



Flowrs always mak ol bttr, hair admor hlul: thy ar sushi, ood ad mdici

or th soul.

Luther Burbank, botanist and horticulturist, 1849 – 1926



Thrive

The Geoffrey Udall Centre

Beech Hill

Reading RG7 2AT

T: 0118 988 5688F: 0118 988 5677

E: [email protected]

W:www.hrv.r.k

www.crrynrnn.r.k

thrv s smll nnl chry h ss rnn

chn h lvs f sbl ppl.

Thrive is registered in the UK as the Society for Horticultural Therapy.

Thrive is a registered charity (number 277570) and a limited company (number 1415700).

Thrive is grateful to everyone involved in providing photographs for this guide.

Photographs on the front page and pages 3, 7, 9, 14, 23, 26, 27 © Caroline Nieuwenhuys 2008, Front page and

page 16 © Muir Vidler and The Times 2008, page 18 © Paul Rogers and The Times 2008, page 21 © Matt Writtle

and The Times 2008.

© Thrive 2009.

Cover and text pages are printed on revive 100 Offset, a recycled grade containing 100% post consumer wasteand manufactured at a mill accredited with ISO14001 environmental management standard. The pulp used inthis product is bleached using a Totally Chlorine Free process (TCF).

using gardening to change lives - horticultural therapy

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