Useful resources

There is a wealth of research to say plants and even simply a 'green view' offer better outcomes. This supports the theory that interaction between people, plants & the environment is both necessary and fundamental. Everyone, adult and child, but in particular anyone with compromised mental or physical health, needs regular access to the natural landscape for their psychological, emotional, spiritual & social well being & development. Without good mental health it is almost impossible to achieve optimal physical health.

Horticultural therapy is a rapidly growing field with strong antecedents in Europe, North America and Australia. It is the formal name given to the process of using gardening, plants and horticulture to help individuals develop. Plants, gardens & activities in the natural environment are explored therapeutically to improve and enhance both physical and mental, while building sustainable communities, the social health aspect.

Benefits include:

• Better physical health through exercise and learning how to use or strength muscles to improve mobility
• Improved mental health through a sense of purpose and achievement
• The opportunity to connect with others – reducing feelings of isolation or exclusion
• Acquiring new skills to improve the chances of finding employment
• Just feeling better for being outside, in touch with nature and in the 'great outdoors'
  
  

If you are interested in further information, see

www.thrive.org.uk

or apply for a B.Sc (Hons) degree in social and therapeutic horticulture from the University of Essex

http://essex.floodlight.co.uk/essex/course-details-reviews/writtle-college/social-and-therapeutic-horticulture-bsc-hons/16180339/32641811/course-info.html

Resources

  Organisations & Associations

  • Chicago Botanic Garden

Horticultural Therapy Services
1000 Lake Cook Road Glencoe
Illinois 60022

 http://www.chicagobotanic.org/therapy

  • People-Plant Council

Department of Horticulture
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Blacksburg , Virginia 24061

http://www.hort.vt.edu.human/PPC.html

  • The American Horticultural Therapy Association

909 York Street
Denver
Colorado 80206-3799

http://www.ahta.org

  • Thrive

The Geoffrey Udall Centre
Beech Hill
Reading,
Berkshire
England
RG7 2AT

http://www.thrive.org.uk

 • Victoria Horticultural Therapy Association

 http://www.greenweb.com.au

 Great sites with suggestions for gardeners.

·        Gardening for Good

http://www.gardening4good.org

http://www.gardenscape.on.ca/pages/linksenable.htm

http://www.carryongardening.org.uk