A momentous time for us all.

August 06, 2018

As the transition to Stanford Hall draws closer this will be my last report to you all and I feel this is a time of reflection.

Back in February 2013, the Horticultural Therapy Service for HighGround at Headley Court was formally launched and it is important to note this was a unique therapy for the Military. Therefore, a very different way of rehab and an unknown quantity. My challenge, “was to become embedded in the fabric of Headley Court”, to be accepted as an integrated service and I think I can safely say this is now fact.

It has been a lifetime achievement and one of which I am very proud. I have worked with many hundreds of patients during my time as Horticultural Therapist from Colonels, Majors, Corporals and Sergeants to Riflemen and Gunners, an amazing privilege. Horticultural Therapy has changed many lives and indeed saved lives also.

Gradually the Horticultural Therapy Service grew and after the first year, I was joined by an Assistant, Gina who has been a wonderful support, excellent team player and very much liked by the patients. In subsequent years, we have been joined by some very good volunteers who just get on with it.

I have created a place of hope, sanctuary, fun, education and a safe-haven for the patients to improve on their rehab journey and through difficult times. This has also been accessed an enjoyed by the Staff, becoming a place for down-time, a lovely space to catch a ‘breather’ and a non-clinical area to bring their patients.

We have taken part in many projects throughout and this has served to raise the profile of HighGround and Horticultural Therapy.

An early project in the first year was working with the ABF, one of the early funders, growing the plants for the ABF’s Chelsea Flower Show garden, ‘No Man’s Land’ and this achieved a Gold Medal. I took the patients to the show to enjoy the results of the care and attention given to the plants.

I noticed that the Woodland Trust were beginning a new project ‘The Centenary Woodlands’ to commemorate the centenary of the First World War and the first to be planted would be less than four miles from Headley Court, Langley Vale. Very soon we were there planting saplings with patients and being interviewed by the BBC for the radio. Following that, we have been involved with the ‘Trees from Seeds’ project and our little saplings have been planted this spring at Langley Vale creating our very own copse.

I was asked if I could help the RAFBF with their project to provide 5 beneficiaries throughout the UK with gardens suitable for their needs. This involved a road trip to meet all the prospective gardeners who were all wheelchair users. My task was to design the individual gardens and collaborate with the surveyors etc. to achieve a working drawing that met all the needs. Our recent feedback from the RAFBF was that one individual is always in his garden and engaging with the local community through his new-found hobby. Success!

The RHS flagship garden, Wisley is on our doorstep and I thought it would make a great place for patients to visit. We have been welcomed to the gates of this paradise on many occasions. The visits help patients with socialization, going out in public, standing tolerance, coping in a different place and in many other ways. The Gardens Manager contacted me to ask if I could deliver a workshop to their Level 3 students and help raise their awareness of Horticultural Therapy. The date was made and it was a great success. The students have been back on various occasions including to help us when we began our ‘Home Thoughts’ garden, I have also given work experience and mentored one student who is working towards her RHS Level 3 Diploma, who has a great interest in Horticultural Therapy. The RHS have very kindly donated tickets for 8 people for Hampton Court Flower Show each year and this has been thoroughly appreciated by the patients. In the last four years, this relationship has blossomed and hopefully will continue in the future.

I am very proud of our lovely garden at HC, ‘Home Thoughts’. Without the ongoing help and support of Sutton and East Surrey Water Company and Hortus Loci this beautiful space would never have been built. S&ESWC have been longstanding supporters of Horticultural Therapy for the military and will be passing on the mantle to their colleagues in the Midlands. Hortus Loci have been extremely generous with plants, shrubs, trees and bulbs not only to fill ‘Home Thoughts’ with colour and interest but resources for patient engagement during therapy sessions.

‘Home Thoughts’ is regularly used by patients looking for some peace, privacy and space. Staff take time out to sit in the garden to have a break from the hurly burly. It has become a wonderful focal point.

I have been very fortunate to be featured in an award-winning book ‘The Head Gardeners’. This has been another vector to promote HighGround, Horticultural Therapy and recognise the impact of the work here at Headley Court.

I could not sign off without a mention of our feathered therapists! They have carried out sterling work with the patients, provided endless entertainment and many, many eggs. The Bearded Lady will be joining my flock at home for her retirement, Alfie, our very sweet cockerel will be going to Stanford Hall with a wife or two. The bantams, will be going to live with Gina for a very spoilt life! The remainder will be rehomed; only excellent applicants will be considered!

So HighGround is off to new pastures and many more challenges. I wish you all well and success for the future of HighGround.

Carol Sales

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