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LIFE BEYOND THE MILITARY – OUTDOORS
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It has been an inspiring January

January 31, 2019

Work on the greenhouse inevitably slowed down over the Christmas period and the current project forecast is that it will be ready on the 15th February. We were able to run some patient workshops during December for the different clinical specialities:

Force Generation/Rose Planting

We now have a wonderful selection of roses donated by Mark Straver and friends at Hortus Loci, which have been planted into one of our raised beds in the main courtyard. This was a great activity for a patient who was able to stand at a raised bed but had an upper limb problem causing reduced grip. Using the secateurs to prune the rose, dig a hole for planting, remove the plant from the pot, position and fill in the hole were all tasks which enabled a focus on these issues.

Neurology/Battle Pit

The plant pot painting continues but we had a request to temporarily use a raised bed as a battle pit for a patient leading a war game. This assisted with assessment of planning, organisation and decision-making skills for the referring Occupational Therapist.

Complex Trauma/Christmas Wreaths

We now have a list of suitable houseplants to furnish the Complex Trauma communal area on the ward which we hope to source and plant in the New Year but until then we made some Christmas Wreaths to brighten up the surroundings.

Visits/Future Activities:

We also visited the Chelsea Physic Garden, and met Nell Jones the Head Gardener, who showed us around their beautiful walled garden and gave us advice on apothecary plants. We intend to plant up a raised bed in one of the main courtyards with plants which have therapeutic benefits/healing properties. We have enlisted patients to help us research plants from our proposed shortlist and intend to use the information on signs to identify the plants. Fruit tree pruning at a local farm is next on the agenda as an off-site horticultural activity for patients.

A visit to Barnsdale Gardens, where we met Neil Hamilton gave us inspiration for creating our garden at Stanford Hall. The National Memorial Arboretum visit, was very moving and a chance to practise tree identification. Both provided ideas for places to visit with patients. The Nottingham Organic Gardeners annual seed potato day, was a great event and we have bought some colourful seed potatoes ready for chitting!!

Fingers crossed we will have good news on the greenhouse next time!!!

 

Force Generation – Rose pruning and planting

Neurology – Battle Pit

Complex Trauma – Christmas Wreaths

Andy Therapeutic Gardens Manager Fruit Tree Pruning

Seed potatoes