Therapeutic gardening class in Festina Lente workshop
Festina Lente are hosting a social and therapeutic horticulture introductory day on Saturday, November 7, from 9.30 a. m. to 4 p. m.
Participants will learn how to harness and maximise the therapeutic benefits of gardens and gardening, offer therapeutic gardening to clients, and how to become a social and therapeutic horticulture practitioner to benefit others.
Social and therapeutic horticulture ( STH) involves the use of plants, horticultural activities and the garden landscape to promote well- being for its participants.
STH is particularly relevant for the promotion of independence, health and well- bring amongst groups and communities of vulnerable people.
Practitioner workshops are for anyone interested in using social and therapeutic horticulture who want to add to their understanding and professional development and who may be looking to improve their contributions to the emerging fields of social and therapeutic horticulture and green care.
Social and therapeutic horticultural benefits people with many different disabilities, including those recovering from stroke and heart disease, blind and partially sighted people, those in the early stages of dementia, and people with physical, mental health and learning disabilities.
Organised therapeutic horticulture programmes have been shown to increase self- esteem and self- confidence, develop social and work skills, improve literacy and numeracy skills, increase general well- being and promote social interaction.
STH Garden projects can be in small informal places, perhaps organised and run by volunteers, or they can be in more formal, larger organisations and charities, run by permanent staff. Projects may have their own site on their organisations premises or they may share facilities, perhaps within an allotment, garden centre or nursery.
People also benefit by gardening at home or in an organisation’s premises, perhaps by starting with a simple idea like planting a small container or window box, or growing some herbs on a sunny window sill.
The workshop fee is € 95 and there are 12 spaces.
Email andrea@ festinalente. ie or call 087 7373703, Monday to Thursday from 9.30 p. m. to 2 p. m. for more information about the workshop.