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Description
Scotswood Community Garden, established in 1995, is located in the John Marley education centre in the west end of Newcastle. Its focus is on inspiring and promoting learning about nature, the environment and sustainable living. The garden is recognised as a Land Project by the Permaculture Association. Trellis is the home of therapeutic horticulture in Scotland. Their vision is for excellent therapeutic horticulture and its benefits to be available to all. They aim to help people improve their health and wellbeing through gardening, plants and nature connection.
Emma Martindale is the Training and Standards Officer at Trellis, the Scottish Therapeutic Horticulture Network. Emma also runs Nature on the Mind, supporting individuals and organisations to improve wellbeing through gardening, and provides a wildlife friendly garden care and consultancy service. Emma originally studied Ecology (2006) and then went on to work in a variety of community garden projects in Edinburgh, and as a freelance fieldworker with Trellis. She then completed a Masters in Social Work (2014), then working in a learning disability team in the Scottish Borders while continuing to garden with various community groups. After 8 years in social work Emma returned to work with Trellis and to complete Royal Horticultural Society Level 2 qualifications and a Working for Gardeners (WFGA) Work and Retain as a Gardner (WRAG) Scheme placement, then pulling together her social care, health, ecology, and horticulture training and experience to provide high quality Therapeutic Horticulture sessions and to support development of the Therapeutic Horticulture profession.
The day will start indoors with a presentation given by Emma, who will discuss the Charity’s background, the importance of Therapeutic Horticulture, and its benefits in supporting people to improve their wellbeing through plants, gardening and nature. Emma has experience of working with many projects, and two recent examples include working alongside an East Lothian school to provide sessions for children with additional support needs, and supporting Birkhill House CIC in the Scottish Borders to grow a natural dye plant garden alongside a local rape crisis centre. Successful case studies including supporting those working with children, older adults with dementia, mental health issues, in prisons and more will be highlighted during the session.
This will be followed by a walk around the garden at Scotswood Community Garden, by the Garden Manager Sean Clay, to view the projects and discuss the varied groups that spend time in the garden.
You will then attend an interactive group activity before breaking for lunch. In the afternoon there will be a discussion on the Design of a Therapeutic Garden, incorporating seasons, sensory planting, and avoiding those plants that can be harmful. Emma will cover the many aspects that should be considered when creating a physically and emotionally safe space for different groups, whether considering paths for wheelchair users, accessible raised beds, or a settling welcome for people with anxiety and mental health conditions. Emma will highlight some successful planting and activities, including the use of plants to stimulate memories and senses, and growing plants that can be used throughout the year for indoor gardening and crafts. Finally and importantly Emma will cover the developments in the profession and routes to get there, including the formation of a new body ‘The UK Association for Social and Therapeutic Horticulture’ (UKASTH).
Timings:
Arrival 9.30am
Start: 10am
Ends: 3.30pm
Refreshments:
Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided. Please bring a packed lunch.
Cost:
Members £55 | Non-members £75
Please read our Standard Cancellation Policy.
Photographs copyright Trellis Scotland.
