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LIFE BEYOND THE MILITARY – OUTDOORS
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As we replenish the greenhouse, patients are provided with more therapeutic activities.

April 30, 2021

The Greenhouse is gradually filling with plants, and we are now back to the same point as we were before the first lockdown last year, a milestone for us. This will enable us to provide a wide range of activities with patients. We will have enough stock to hold a Farm Shop in May, which we are hoping will be supported by some of our patients.

Our spring bulbs are blooming and Andy has written an indoor bulb planner to raise funds for the Horticultural Therapy Service at DMRC Stanford Hall and to enable us to be part of the #CaptainTom100challenge.

Village Green

We intend to start work on the Village Green in May and are in the process of finding both patients and staff who are interested in being involved in the project. We have cleared the space and look forward to transforming it from an empty square of gravel to a new therapeutic garden area.

Horticultural Therapy Resources

We are in the process of developing the Horticultural Therapy resources section of the website gradually populating the plant profiles and how to section. I am working on an adapted gardening section which will go live later this year.

Dahlias

Our Dahlias are starting to grow again and have provided us with a variety of therapeutic activities: from lifting, storing, dividing and re-potting the tubers to most recently taking softwood cuttings to grow new plants. This will go full circle to planting out, watering and deadheading the flowers later in the year. A good range of activities for upper limb function, grip strength, dexterity, decision making, following instruction and learning new horticultural skills.

Neuro group – Reviving the courtyard garden

We have assigned watering duties to some of the patients to take responsibility for watering the newly sown carrot seeds, broad bean and brassica seedlings in the Neuro garden. This is working well and it’s really good to see new seedlings emerging.

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Jane

HG adheres to the latest government and unit policy in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Dahlias in pots in greenhouse.

Pansies in planter.

Andy and Jane with Bulb Planner