12 months in pictures 2022

December 19, 2022

Our Horticultural Therapy service at Stanford Hall has been busier than ever this year – writing this in the freezing grip of Winter, the long, sweltering days of Summer are hard to remember..!

Stanford Hall is a military rehabilitation unit and retains a high level of vigilance for Covid risk which has meant visits from our funders and supporters have been limited, but we were delighted to welcome ABF The Soldiers’ Charity albeit a Covid-depleted party in April, and the Chairman of Headley Court Charity AVM Stables and his Trustees in May.

Both organisations are generous funders of HighGround’s Horticultural Therapy service, and we are profoundly grateful for their continued support and that of Elizabeth Moore and Star Foundation, Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund, the Army Central Fund and the Swire Foundation who we hope will come and visit us next year.

We also thank Vitax, Mr Fothergills Seeds, Darlac Tools and to our wonderful Gardening Volunteers Ali and Sarah and Andy Spetch from British Sugar Topsoil we offer our special thanks for your brilliant support – we are nothing without our Friends.

Anna Baker Cresswell.
Founder and Executive Director.

Some feedback from 2022…

“The smell and touch help your senses relax, so you can settle down and calm your mind.” Patient

“I see Horticultural Therapy as an important part of patient rehab.” Referring Occupational Therapists when surveyed by Professor Morrison.

“Horticultural Therapy is an effective mindfulness activity that can be adapted for any level of injury” Patient

“It was an escape. Hugely therapeutic. Staff were massively sympathetic to our situations and listened to what we wanted from the sessions.” Patient

Andy, Tim and Jane at Stanford Hall.

JANUARY; (Left) Visit from HighGround Chairman Ian Elliott. (Right) Iris reticulata.

FEBRUARY; (Left) Hellebores in the Pears walled garden. (Right) Finished steps down to the compost area.

MARCH (Left) Main greenhouse filling up with seedlings. (Right) Salvias donated by Middleton nurseries for Gardeners’ World Live 2021.

APRIL; (Left) Our 1000th Instagram post. (Right) Camilla Start, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Trusts & Major Donors Manager with Andy and Jane in the Greenhouse.

MAY; (Left) British Sugar Topsoil delivery for Village Green raised beds. (Right) Lupin seedlings growing away, seeds donated by a grateful patient as thanks for their sessions.

JUNE; (Left) Summer hanging baskets. (Right) Rose bed coming into bloom.

JULY; (Left) Smiling sunflowers in the walled garden. (Right) Bed planted up by Neuro group.

AUGUST; (Left) Tobacco plants on the Village Green. (Right) Pelargonium Fireworks donated by Kate Mason Garden Design.

SEPTEMBER; (Left) Village Green progresses. (Right) Fresh produce by the shop at Stanford Hall.

OCTOBER; (Left) Seed saving. (Right) Patient sessions planting up spring bedding.

NOVEMBER; (Left) British Sugar Topsoil cheque presentation. (Right) Succulent leaf cuttings.

DECEMBER; (Left) Christmas wreath. (Right) Pallet Christmas tree, a popular activity every year.

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