Work continues as we prepare to deliver clinical service at Stanford Hall

November 30, 2018

Building works are still in progress to complete the greenhouse and outdoor areas for delivery of the Horticultural Therapy Service. We now have glass in the sides and gable ends and the floor has been concreted. The next stage will be to fit roof glass and tile the floor. This has unfortunately meant we have had to delay delivery of clinical service until we have a designated space in which to work safely with patients.

Instead we will be turning our attention to enhancing some of the indoor space in the Unit with plants. Patients on the Complex Trauma ward have requested support and advice with planting in a communal area to provide screening, colour and soften the space. Myself and Andy Wright, our Therapeutic Gardens Manager, are currently scoping ideas and possible suppliers of houseplants and containers. I have also been work-shadowing the Neuro art group who are currently painting plant pots ready for use, so we will shortly be discussing ideas of what plants to put in them!

We are expecting an arrival of roses for one of the raised beds in the central courtyard imminently. These have been kindly donated by Mark Straver and friends at Hortus Loci

The OT’s had an event on 7th November to promote OT week. I took part in mini therapy sessions focusing on cognitive rehab techniques which was interesting to be on the receiving end of treatment.

The seasonal planners outlining horticultural tasks and their therapeutic benefits are being finalised ready for distribution to all the OT staff. Producing a patient information leaflet will be next on the to do list.

We were happy to meet visitors from Greenwich Hospital, Hugh Player and Howard Cattermole who are valued funders of HighGround supporting our Royal Navy and Royal Marine referrals. John Shone of Rutland Willow also visited to discuss the possibility of working with our patients doing traditional woodland crafts which we hope to implement next year.

Hopefully all the preparatory work will pay dividends when we can finally start taking patient referrals. Until next month……

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