My first month as Horticultural Therapist at Stanford Hall

October 31, 2018

This is the first of what will be many more monthly updates to come continuing the further development of the horticultural therapy service at DMRC, Stanford Hall and the good work started by Carol Sales and her team at Headley Court.

I have now joined Andy Wright our Therapeutic Gardens Manager and completed my first month in post as the new Horticultural Therapist. You can follow Andy’s Instagram account, to keep up to date with what’s going on at Stanford Hall.

We have been busy creating our new space in preparation for receiving new patients. The greenhouse is gradually taking shape replicating the original Victorian greenhouse on site and will be an amazing space in which to work. Severn Trent Water kindly joined us and helped to build our summerhouse and sheds, so we could start to unpack tools and equipment. We envisage the summerhouse to be a quiet space for reflection and learning away from the clinical environment and the greenhouse to be a space for developing practical horticultural skills.

There are plans for a series of raised beds behind the greenhouse area to plant herbaceous perennials, fruit and vegetable crops, a woodland planting area and we haven’t forgotten the chickens who will join us in the spring in a new hen house.

We have lots of ideas for future planting and projects and were delighted to be able to share some of our thoughts with all the supporters of High ground who visited us earlier in October followed by a reception at Whatton Hall. You can see the photos of the evening here.

I have also been meeting the staff at DMRC, Stanford Hall, particularly the Occupational Therapy staff, as part of my induction. I am keen to understand the OT role across the different specialities, Neuro, Complex Trauma, Force Generation to help us meet needs across different patient groups when clinical delivery starts. Myself and Andy have been working on tools to assist the OT’s with their referrals and ensure the Horticultural Therapy service continues to be fully integrated.

One of the main differences at Stanford Hall is the variety of different gardens across the site in addition to our own area. This offers lots of potential for varied rehabilitation opportunities with patients. We have four raised beds allocated in the main courtyard which will provide a formal display of roses, annuals, perennials and “apothecary plants”. The Neurology ward has its own courtyard garden and small greenhouse (currently housing the Chilli collection until they can be re-homed in the main greenhouse!). This will provide a permanent therapeutic space for patients in this area. The donation of the Vegepod, will also provide a mobile mini garden for patients who have difficulty accessing the main greenhouse area.

All in all, a busy month and exciting times ahead. I am grateful for the warm welcome and am looking forward to the time when we will be able to share all the current plans and preparations with our patients…

Until next month,

Jane

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