In like a lion out like a lamb??

May 15, 2018

This blog is about a journey we started 3 years ago. The Woodland Trust advertised that they were going to create Centenary Woodlands to commemorate 100 years since the beginning of the First World War and their first project would be Langley Vale, near Epsom Racecourse. Research showed that this area was used for training soldiers during WW1 and Kitchener himself once visited! Langley Vale is very close to Headley Court and it seemed the obvious thing to do was get involved. On a cold early winter’s day myself and some patients planted trees at the site to begin this project. It was a great day and we all thoroughly enjoyed being part of something that would be in the landscape for centuries to come.

Fast forward to the turn of the new year in 2016. The Woodland Trust continued their project with ‘Trees from Seed’ and we felt this would be an excellent opportunity for our patients to take part. Our tree seeds arrived and soon we began sowing. The activity proved to be therapeutic for the patients. Individual seeds placed in trays of 6 cells requires good hand/eye co-ordination for example. Filling the cells with compost while standing helps with balance and standing tolerance. All of these tasks were very mindful giving a welcome break from pain and anxiety.

The patients were very struck by the thought that it was a very important project and they were making history by carrying out the seed sowing. They lavished care and attention over the coming months and we were all delighted when germination began. However, the mice thought it was very kind of us to give them a juicy seed in each cell to have as a tasty snack! Battle lines were drawn and measures taken!! We managed to germinate around 60 seeds most of which were Hornbeam but we did have success also with crabapple and a few field maples.

Soon it was time for potting on as the seedlings grew. The Woodland Trust had requested we pot them on into 2 litre plastic milk cartons for ease of transport. Lovely task for many therapeutic goals!! Cutting 60 plus cartons exactly the same size were needed. The patient who obliged had also originally sowed the seeds and this gave him continuity, a sense of pride and ownership, all helping his self-esteem, standing tolerance, manual dexterity, co-ordination and some mindfulness and all before actually filling the containers with compost and gently transplanting the delicate, precious seedlings!

The seedlings were duly examined in the Autumn of 2016 by the coordinator from the Woodland Trust and declared to be the best he had seen. We just needed to keep them alive for the following 18 months, no pressure.

Now followed much watering, weeding and lots of TLC.

Then in the early part of this year (2018) we found ourselves ready to hand the small ‘saplings’ to the Woodland Trust for planting at Langley Vale. An area was selected and the little trees planted. I am happy to tell you we have our own small copse that will perfectly blend into the landscape and give pleasure to many for years to come.

I think it is fitting that our injured service personnel at Headley Court have been part of creating a beautiful place to pay tribute those who gave their all.

I look forward to seeing the copse grow in strength and be reminded of my patients who too have given their all, albeit 100 years later.

So we look forward to warmer days and a productive few months at Headley Court with patients making a difference on their rehab journeys.

Carol

Potting on seedlings

Seed sowing

Seeds pottted on

Off for planting

Our copse

Our own little copse

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